Hunt relishing Test revival and Black Ferns reunion

Women's Test: England v New Zealand

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham 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 & app

England scrum-half Natasha Hunt says she is relishing the revival of her international career as she prepares to take on New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

The 35-year-old was a high-profile omission from England's Rugby World Cup squad in 2022, but has played every game since new coach John Mitchell took the reins in autumn 2023.

"There were times when I wasn't sure if I was done," she told 5 Live Rugby Union Weekly.

"But I genuinely feel like I am playing some of my best rugby of my career and I am absolutely loving it."

Hunt says modern recovery techniques, physio sessions and nutrition have helped her and other elite players prolong their careers, pointing to former England captain Sarah Hunter, who retired at 37, and Mike Brown, who is still part of Leicester's squad at 39.

"This is a very short-lived thing - you don't get to be a professional athlete for long and, once you stop, there is no going back to it," said Hunt.

"You have got to be sure when it is time to go and I have not been sure yet."

Hunt has been named as a vice-captain this autumn, the first time she has held an on-pitch leadership role after more than 70 caps for her country.

"I have never been seen in that light to be honest, I don't think any previous coaches had me as that kind of leadership material," she said.

"It is a real honour for me, but nothing really changes. I go around my business the same and try and bring out the best out of everyone."

Hunt, along with Marlie Packer and Emily Scarratt, is one of three players in the current Red Roses squad who played when New Zealand last visited Twickenham in December 2012.

England played after their male counterparts had wrapped up a famous win over the All Blacks on the same pitch earlier in the afternoon, with the women's fixture part of the same ticket.

"I remember our warm-up that day was really, really short," she said. "We warmed up in the gym, came out and literally ran through two plays.

"But I didn't need a warm-up because the atmosphere was unbelievable.

"The most crazy thing now is that everyone at the stadium is genuinely here for us - they have come for a Red Roses fixture. That, for me, is the biggest change in my career."

The Red Roses drew a world record crowd for a women's Test match to Twickenham in 2023 when 58,498 watched them clinch the Six Nations Grand Slam with a win over France.

More than 40,000 fans are expected on Saturday for the standalone fixture.

Hear more from Natasha Hunt and England captain Marlie Packer on Thursday's episode of Rugby Union Weekly .