England finessing key areas for NZ test - Hunter

England v New Zealand

Venue: Allianz Stadium, London Date: Saturday, 14 September Kick-off: 14:30 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and online; updates on BBC Radio 5 Live; text commentary on BBC Sport website and app

Defence coach Sarah Hunter says England have pinpointed aspects of their game to "finesse" before Saturday's WXV1 match against world champions New Zealand at Allianz Stadium.

The Red Roses, who are ranked number one in the world, are unbeaten since November 2022 when they lost to the Black Ferns in the World Cup final.

A friendly victory over France last Saturday kickstarted a year in which England will host the World Cup next August, but Hunter says they must reduce their error count against their southern hemisphere opposition.

"We want an improved performance," said Hunter.

"We won against France but it certainly wasn't a polished performance and we have identified key areas we want to finesse.

"The scrum has been picked up as an area where we can improve, although we actually did that during the game and it was great to see the girls' in-game problem-solving. There were also a few lapses in concentration around the maul, which is easy to fix."

Hunter continued: "France like to run the ball and they have some challenging backs, like New Zealand, who will want to play.

"We need to take our defence to that next level once again, as attacking rugby is their instinct and it's what they are brought up on."

England claimed a third consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam this year and are favourites to retain their WXV1 title in Canada after winning the inaugural competition last November.

They are yet to experience defeat since head coach John Mitchell took charge, but former number eight Hunter, who was part of the side that won the 2014 World Cup, says the players continue to learn despite their winning run.

"Before 2014, we lost plenty of games which helped shape us," said Hunter.

"Equally, when you have a winning environment like we do now, there are still moments in a game when things are against us.

"We are hard on ourselves and it's about improving those moments even when we're winning."

England's game with New Zealand will be Hunter's last before she gives birth to her first child.

The 38-year-old former captain, who retired from playing after the 2023 Six Nations, will not travel with the side to Canada for WXV1, which runs from 29 September to 13 October.

Hunter, however, says she will still be involved from back home.

"I don’t think you are allowed to fly for a certain amount of time [before giving birth] so it was taken out of my hands," said Hunter.

"I would love to be out there supporting the girls on the ground, but the baby isn’t due until the end of October so I will be working from back in England. I will still be doing all of our analysis and planning sessions for the coaches out there."

Hunter has continued in her face-to-face role during pre-season but says her positioning on the field has changed through her pregnancy.

"[John Mitchell] has been brilliant ever since I told him and he wanted to make a plan work that kept me involved," she added.

"As the time has gone on, how and where I've been placed on the field has shifted away from some of the players who like to run at people.

"I have been taking more of an overview look on training, so it has taking a bit of getting used to. As a forward, you want to be in the thick of it.

"The girls have been brilliant as well, and they have probably been more conscious of my welfare than I have been.

"Everyone is turning up for me on a daily basis, whether it's carrying the kit or making sure I've got water. The nutritionist has been making sure I've got snacks.

"They are all really interested and keep asking me questions."