Simon Middleton hailed the retiring Sarah Hunter as the “greatest England player of all time” following the Red Roses’s opening Six Nations win over Scotland. The 37-year-old bowed out after a stellar career which included a record 141 caps and captaining the side to an unparalleled 30-match unbeaten streak. The England head coach, who said he shed a tear as Hunter walked off the pitch for the final time, heaped praise on the No 8.
“She has been the face of the Red Roses for the last 10 years,” said Middleton, who will step down as England coach after the tournament. “I think because she has been such an incredible leader and such a diplomat for the game, people shouldn’t forget what an unbelievable player she has been.
