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<\/p>\nNatasha \u2018Mo\u2019 Hunt is one of England\u2019s most experienced players <\/p>\n
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England scrum half Natasha \u201cMo\u201d Hunt has been rewarded with a Red Roses contract after forcing her way back into the national set-up.<\/p>\n
Hunt was the standout omission from Simon Middleton\u2019s Rugby World Cup squad last year, but returned to the fold during the Women\u2019s Six Nations and started England\u2019s WXV win over New Zealand earlier in November.<\/p>\n
Having been left off the list of 32 players awarded contracts this summer despite leading Gloucester-Hartpury to a league title last season, the 67-cap No 9 has now been added to England\u2019s core group of players under new head coach John Mitchell.<\/p>\n
Fellow scrum half Ella Wyrwas, of Saracens, has also received a deal. The pair will be part of Mitchell\u2019s first training camp in January as the Red Roses begin preparations for next year\u2019s Women\u2019s Six Nations. <\/p>\n
\u201cMo\u2019s mindset to keep improving and push herself has seen her play some of the best rugby of her career over the past year,\u201d said Charlie Hayter, head of women\u2019s performance at the Rugby Football Union (RFU).<\/p>\n
\u201cShe suits the way we want to approach the game and her experience is invaluable. During the recent WXV campaign,<\/u> she enhanced the Red Roses culture and has bought into what we are aiming to achieve on and off the field as we embark on our new journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Saracens scrum half Ella Wyrwas has also received a contract <\/p>\n
The RFU refuses to confirm the length of individual player deals, but has moved to a new contracting model that allows some players to be awarded longer contracts of up to three years as they gear up for a home World Cup in 2025.<\/p>\n
Hunt and Wyrwas join Lucy Packer \u2013 the only specialist scrum half originally contracted \u2013 in a 34-player group that includes prop Vickii Cornborough and lock Abbie Ward, who both went on maternity leave before the birth of their children this year. <\/p>\n
There are an additional six \u201ctransition\u201d contracts designed to support the development of younger players.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, captain Marlie Packer is understood to have avoided serious injury after an incident in Saracens\u2019 win over Trailfinders Women in round two of the new Premiership Women\u2019s Rugby (PWR) season.<\/p>\n
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England captain Marlie Packer has avoided major injury<\/p>\n
Packer, who succeeded the retiring Sarah Hunter as England skipper during the Six Nations, tumbled awkwardly after being barged in the back by Trailfinders\u2019 Kate Zackary off the ball.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old received prolonged treatment on Saturday and Saracens were fearful that the back row had suffered a significant lower leg injury, but scans have provided a positive prognosis and the flanker should soon be back in action.<\/p>\n