England trio immortalised in murals across the country
As they chase glory with the Red Roses in New Zealand, three legends of England Rugby, including captain Sarah Hunter who broke the record for most test caps this weekend, have been immortalised in inspiring murals at sites across the country.
Sarah Hunter, Red Roses captain, alongside centre and record point scorer Emily Scarratt, and prop Shaunagh Brown, whose off-field work has been an inspiration for many, have had their portraits created in Newcastle, Leicester and South London – all key locations that played a big part in their early rugby careers.
The Red Roses have recorded 29 consecutive victories, the most of any male or female rugby team in history, and are currently competing against the world’s top sides in New Zealand.
The murals were supported by O2, principal partner for England Rugby. They were created by England Rugby licensee and renowned street artist collective, MurWalls, whose artists also created the player street art in Twickenham Stadium ahead of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations Championship.
The trio are not the only ones in the spotlight; to further celebrate the individual roots of each squad member currently in New Zealand, England Rugby has launched an out-of-home campaign honouring each player across 127 sites throughout the country including their hometowns. The campaign will run until the end of November.
Rose Roses Captain, Sarah Hunter, said: “You can’t be what you can’t see, so I hope every young girl who drives past these murals on their way to school, or when they walk to rugby training is inspired, knowing that they too can one day play on the world stage.
“Novocastrians RFC will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I first realised I might be better suited to the forwards, and so moved from inside centre to the backrow!
“While it’s my face up there on the side of the clubhouse, it’s also a celebration of the legacy of every woman who’s pulled on an England jersey.”
Red Roses Vice-Captain, Emily Scarratt, said: “Growing up, it was my dad and brother who I looked up to, but I’m so happy that any girl who plays for Leicester Forest RFC and across the broader area now has a woman to look up to.”
Red Roses Prop, Shaunagh Brown, said: “While we don’t always ask to be role models, as professional athletes playing on the other side of the world we are, so I’m incredibly proud that aspiring young girls and boys, especially those of colour, can look to me in a very real way for inspiration.”
Ewan Turney, England Rugby Marketing Director, said: “We’re delighted to have created permanent artworks to hero three of our senior Red Roses in locations that played a significant part in their rugby journey. We’re confident they will inspire the next generation of players to pick up a ball and try the sport.”
Marie Houlgate, Head of Sport Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, said: “The Red Roses are inspiring a nation of fans and proving why they are currently the number one team in the world with their performances in New Zealand. Through O2’s partnership with the Red Roses, we’ve championed the team as one that everyone should know about and these murals at locations across the UK will help increase awareness of these incredibly talented and inspirational players.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments