sport news ALEX BYWATER: Sarah Hunter will end her glittering career at same ground she ... trends now

During her childhood, Sarah Hunter used to sell matchday programmes at Kingston Park and today (SAT), her life will come full circle when she ends her glittering career at the same Newcastle venue. 

By her own admission, Hunter has achieved far more she ever thought possible as an aspiring rugby player, predominantly because doing so as a woman was not an option at the time. The 37-year-old’s spell in the sport has been remarkable. 

When she first played for England, the women’s team was not even under the RFU’s jurisdiction. 

They weren’t allowed to wear the traditional English red rose on their chest. Now, the Red Roses are fully professional.

Hunter’s spanning of that era of change will perhaps be her greatest legacy, more so than her on-field successes. 

There have still been plenty of those including one World Cup, 10 Six Nations titles, and nine Grand Slams. She is England’s most capped player of all time. 

Saturday will be her 141st and last international appearance. Hunter will retire immediately after England’s Six Nations opener with Scotland and it is entirely fitting her final game is being played in her home city of Newcastle.

‘Never in a million years did I think that young girl selling programmes at Newcastle games would ever go on to have the journey I have,’ Hunter told Sportsmail. 

‘I’d have said to her “You’re crazy!” because at that point I knew there was an England women’s team. But when I first started I hadn’t got a clue. I just played for the love of the game.

‘It’s been incredible. To have seen and been part of such change has been eye-opening. So much work has been put in by so many people to drive for professionalism. 

‘When I think back to my first cap to now, it’s just poles apart. I feel

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