WOMEN’S rugby is going up in the world — and a new painting in the Twickenham president’s dining room proves it.
Newly-retired former Red Roses skipper Sarah Hunter helped unveil the spectacular artwork at HQ in the latest sign of the importance of the women’s game.
Not known, clear with picture deskSarah Hunter unveils the new artwork at Twickenham[/caption]
GettySarah Hunter after her final appearance for England during the TikTok Women’s Six Nations match between England and Scotland[/caption]
RFU chiefs are targeting a bumper crowd when England take on France in a likely TikTok Six Nations decider on April 29.
And Hunter hopes the top-table guests are impressed by award-winning artist Nneka Uzoigwe’s creation, which honours the past, present and future of the Red Roses.
The painting was the brainchild of RFU chair Tom Ilube and Hunter, 37, said: “When Tom first mentioned this, I thought it was such an amazing idea to represent the women’s game and the history behind it.
“It shows how integral the women’s game is to rugby now with this amazing piece of artwork taking pride of place.
“In another 100 years, it will have stood the test of time.”
Ilube added: “This room is really in the heart of rugby and, while I was impressed by its paintings, I realised we needed to do something about the lack of diversity.
“People will come from all over the world when we host the Rugby World Cup final here in 2025, so I commissioned a painting on a par with all the others that would stand alongside them in this day and age and tell the story of the women’s game.”