Class of 2014 could be key to England's success, says veteran Hunt

Sir Clive Woodward’s England World Cup winners were famously dubbed “Dad’s Army”, and Natasha Hunt believes the Red Roses’ thirty-somethings could be key to success too.

Hunt, Marlie Packer, Alex Matthews and Emily Scarratt are the sole survivors of the team that lifted the trophy in 2014, as the hosts prepare to open the Women’s Rugby World Cup against the USA in Sunderland.

At 36, Hunt is the oldest member of John Mitchell’s team, having fought her way back to be first-choice scrum-half following a shock omission from the squad three years ago.

Scarratt, named on the bench at the Stadium of Light, is set to become the first England player to compete at a fifth World Cup – and only the seventh player, male or female, to achieve the feat.

“I’ve grown a lot and matured a lot in my rugby. I read the game better because, as you get older, you do get a bit slower. I just try and attack each game,” said the Gloucester-Hartpury back.

“This group is about being as good as you can be and just being yourself.

"Emily is just so stubborn and an incredible athlete. The way she conducts herself – to have the injury she had, missing 14 months and just dealing with it – is inspiring.

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"She’s playing some of the best rugby I’ve seen her play in a long time. She’s just great for everyone in the squad; she’s a calming influence we all look up to, and she just knows how to say the right thing in the moment.”

Mitchell’s side enjoyed a light training session at the Stadium of Light, the north-east welcoming the tournament favourites with leaden skies and persistent drizzle.

It is a blended squad of experience, with Sale Sharks hooker Amy Cokayne not worried about the tournament newcomers, as Kelsey Clifford, Maddie Feaunati and Emma Sing are all in line to make debuts off the bench in front of a record 40,000-plus crowd.

“They’ve played in huge occasions already, in front of huge crowds at Twickenham in Grand Slam deciders – I’ve got no worries, these are big-game players,” she said.

“Whether it’s your fifth or first World Cup, they’ve got experience. All of us, apart from Emily, are playing in a first home World Cup, so we’re in it together and we’re buzzing to get started.”