Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Women's Six Nations: England's Natasha Hunt says shortened format is 'gutting'

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 09 March 2021 04:34

England scrum-half Natasha Hunt says playing a shortened Women's Six Nations this year is "gutting".

The coronavirus-enforced changes mean each team will play three fixtures in April, while the men's tournament is being played in its usual format.

With the 2021 World Cup set to be postponed, there have been calls to extend the Women's Six Nations again.

"It's not the Six Nations, it's two games and then a final," Hunt told BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby Union Weekly.

"When the announcement came everyone was posting it like it was this amazing thing. But for me it was gutting.

"I completely appreciate the financial burden and how difficult it is to get these games on. But for me that's the one they've given up on too easily."

The Six Nations announced in February that the tournament would be delayed for two months and teams would be split into two pools.

Each team will play two pool games, one home and one away, before matches to decide placings on the final weekend and Hunt says the format is "not good enough".

Players paying for surgery 'outrageous'

Hunt's participation in the tournament may be in doubt after she sustained a knee injury in Gloucester-Hartpury's Premier 15s loss to Harlequins on Saturday.

The 31-year-old is awaiting further scans to learn the extent of the problem but described how lucky she feels that her club offers players medical insurance for such situations.

Injured Wales flanker Alisha Butchers was not so fortunate. Club Bristol Bears' insurance part-funded the ankle surgery she needed, but the international was forced to crowdfund the remaining amount.

Hunt described Butchers' situation as "outrageous".

"Players who are putting everything in - working full-time jobs and training like a full-time athlete - are having to fund their own surgeries," she continued.

"I just think it's madness. Minimum standards have to be in place to insure players.

"As sad as it is that this has happened it has raised alarm bells and the unions are looking into it, Wales and England, to make sure there is a minimum standard across the board."

Read 348 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated