GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY scrum-half Natasha Hunt has set her sights on representing the British and Irish Lions after returning from a five-month injury lay-off.

The 37-year-old made her England comeback against Australia in the opening match of the WXV Global Series on Saturday, having been sidelined since suffering knee ligament damage against Ireland in April.

The injury ruled Hunt out of the remainder of England’s Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign and Gloucester-Hartpury’s run to the Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-finals.

But after spending much of the summer working through her rehabilitation with Gloucester’s strength and conditioning staff, Hunt returned to the Red Roses starting line-up at scrum-half.

Her comeback came with exactly a year to go until the first Test of the inaugural British and Irish Lions women’s tour of New Zealand, which Hunt admitted was providing major motivation.

The experienced number nine has previously represented Great Britain in rugby sevens at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games and said the opportunity to combine players from different nations again would be special.

Hunt said it would be “unbelievable” to be involved in the historic Lions squad, adding that players across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales would already have the tour in their thoughts.

The Lions will begin their five-match trip on September 4, 2027, against a Black Ferns XV before facing New Zealand in a three-Test series.

Head coach Jo Yapp is expected to select her touring squad next May following the conclusion of the 2027 Women’s Six Nations.

Hunt partnered Holly Aitchison at half-back on her England return, almost a decade after the pair first played together at Lichfield Ladies.

England’s WXV campaign continues with matches against Canada and New Zealand before the Red Roses head across the Atlantic for further fixtures in October.

For Hunt, a strong international autumn could prove an important first step towards adding Lions honours to an already distinguished career.