Mo Hunt came into this season cresting perhaps the highest peak of her career. The scrum-half had added a second World Cup medal to her collection when England defeated Canada in front of a record home crowd in September, carrying that form into Premiership Women's Rugby, where Gloucester-Hartpury are chasing a fourth consecutive title.
Gloucester secured a home semi-final before the league paused for the Women's Six Nations and have not lost in the competition since November 2024. But just as another trophy-filled season looked within reach, Hunt's campaign came to a sudden halt.
Injury Ends Hunt's Season
Not long after coming off the bench in England's opener against Ireland in front of a record crowd of 77,000, she pulled up injured. The knee problem ended her season.
"It is my medial collateral ligament," the 37-year-old says. "It's three months recovery so I will miss the end of the season."
She adds: "I don't know if I have processed it properly yet. I have always been a person to always push boundaries so I don't know if I have fully accepted that is the case. That is a work in progress I would say."
Watching England as a Fan
Hunt says she is making slow progress in her recovery, but thoroughly enjoyed watching England as a fan. The Red Roses won their eighth consecutive Six Nations title and fifth grand slam in a row by defeating France in Bordeaux with Lucy Packer in the No 9 shirt.
"The better Luce plays, the better it makes me because we are both competitors and we are pushing each other," she says.
Hunt watched the grand-slam decider against France at home alongside her Gloucester teammate and World Cup-winning captain Zoe Stratford.
"It was incredible, it always is when England play France. There is so much history there, such a massive rivalry, especially more so from their side than ours. Everybody gets up for playing England, everyone hates us don't they? It was pretty cool to see."
She continues: "France away is one of my absolute favourite places to play because the crowd is so hostile and they really try to get on top of you and force errors, but the way the girls dealt with it, managed it and marshalled it later in the game was sick."
Strength in Depth at Gloucester
England contended with more than just Hunt's injury in the tournament with more than 10 players unavailable. The Red Roses managed to evolve and adapt to continue their winning streak and Gloucester can take inspiration to do the same in the PWR. Hunt is one of a few players unable to take to the pitch. Nel Metcalfe and Tatyana Heard are just back in training after injuries and Alex Matthews had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago.
Hunt believes the key to the club's success over the past few years has been their strength in depth. "When people aren't available there are people waiting in the wings that are ready to take an opportunity," she says.
"I think you will see that when we go through the next few games. I would love to be out there competing with the girls, but I have no doubt the squad will go on to achieve great things. I am excited to be a fan girl for the next couple of weeks."
Future Goals: Lions Tour 2027
Hunt is fully focused on her recovery with the next matches she could be available for coming in England's WXV fixtures in September and October. While the PWR 2026-27 season begins in November, the scrum-half has another target in mind with the inaugural women's British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2027.
"I am really enjoying my rugby," she says. "I am still going all right at it so why wouldn't you try and put your hat in the ring for something like that? Some of my favourite memories playing was in the GB sevens squad."
She adds: "To be within a potential chance of going to New Zealand [is in] the back of my head. I will do everything I can this year to put myself forward."
