Gloucester star Natasha Hunt has banished her World Cup heartbreak and deserves her England recall according to teammate and Red Roses legend Emily Scarratt.
Hunt, 34, last played for England in a World Cup warm-up match in September before a shock omission from Simon Middleton’s squad for the tournament in New Zealand.
Her form for clubside Gloucester-Hartpury forced a rethink and the scrum-half has now been named to start against Ireland in Cork on Saturday.
Scarratt, who has been ruled out of the Championship through injury, is looking forward to seeing her close friend complete an emotional return.
“Her return is so well deserved,” said Scarratt.
“I was gutted for her picking up a little niggle at the beginning of the Six Nations as she's been going so well.
“Obviously I'm biased because she’s a very good friend but she has been tearing up the season.
“Her leadership at Gloucester-Hartpury as well as the way she plays the game, the control she has and her skill ability are all fantastic.
“She's had a tough ride in terms of getting herself back in that No.9 shirt, but I'm super excited to see her back out there and hopefully she absolutely tears it up.”
Hunt was one of four scrum-halves named in a hugely competitive England squad for the Six Nations, with Harlequins’ Lucy Packer having started each of the first three matches.
Scarratt believes that Hunt will bring something different to the table and that she will stake her claim for a regular starting berth when England take on winless Ireland at Musgrave Park.
"I think Lucy Packer has been going really well and Ella Wyrwas has taken her opportunity as well,” said Scarratt.
“Both have been performing for their clubs and they're all really different types of nine.
“You have the luxury of picking players based on what sort of game you want to play but there's no doubt Mo brings a level of experience and a level of energy that is phenomenal.”
O2 and the RFU have co-funded a half-time performance by the Sugababes for the Red Roses v France Women’s Six Nations match on Saturday 29 April. For tickets, visit https://www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu/Events
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