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Former England Women\u2019s rugby union captain Sarah Hunter has said she is enjoying no longer \u201cfeeling beaten up and battered\u201d in her retirement, as she was made a CBE for services to the sport.<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old \u2013 England\u2019s most capped player \u2013 said it is an \u201cuncomfortable\u201d feeling to be singled out for praise because rugby is the \u201cultimate team sport\u201d.<\/p>\n
Hunter, who won 138 caps and captained her side at the 2021 Rugby World Cup, was handed her CBE medal by the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Monday.<\/p>\n
Hunter \u2013 who made her England debut in 2007 and was named World Rugby Women\u2019s Player of the Year in 2016 \u2013 announced her retirement from international rugby earlier this year.<\/p>\n
She has started a new chapter of her career as a coach with the England team, something she discussed with William.<\/p>\n
She told the PA news agency: \u201cHe asked me what I\u2019m doing now since I stopped playing.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngland Rugby have got me back in coaching to try and help the next generation of players come through.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hunter and William also discussed the Princess of Wales\u2019s role as a patron of England Rugby, and the time two England players \u201cthrew her up in the line-out\u201d during a visit, she said.<\/p>\n
Asked about the secret to her long career, she said: \u201cIt\u2019s probably just hanging on in there.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you get older it\u2019s definitely around looking after your body. I was just driven to always be better every time I came off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been part of so many wonderful teams, it\u2019s pretty hard to leave and say goodbye, but I guess everything has to end at some point.\u201d<\/p>\n
She continued: \u201cIt\u2019s such an honour. I started playing rugby for the love of it and never did I ever imagine that I\u2019d be honoured in this way.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s kind of strange for me because rugby is the ultimate team sport, so being recognised for an individual award is fairly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
I miss the camaraderie but I don’t miss being out there on the pitch<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it certainly ranks right up there in my achievements, I\u2019m immensely proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if she was going to miss playing rugby, Hunter said: \u201cDo you know what, I\u2019m not. I actually enjoy not feeling beaten up and battered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s a really good sign that it was time to leave. I miss the camaraderie but I don\u2019t miss being out there on the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngland Rugby have got me back in coaching to try and help the next generation of players come through.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m starting on a new journey.\u201d<\/p>\n