Hunt asks fans for patience as Red Roses crowds grow

England scrum-half Natasha Hunt has asked supporters to recognise the limits on players' time as the Red Roses struggle to meet demand for photographs and autographs. Speaking to Rugby Union Weekly, in comments reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Hunt said the team's growing crowds had made it impossible to satisfy every request.

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Hunt said players valued their supporters but could not always meet expectations after matches. Some teammates had received messages expressing disappointment at missing a photograph, she said. Match performances, injuries, recovery requirements and time with family could all affect how long players were available. Her request was for patience, rather than an end to contact with fans.

The scale has changed during Hunt's England career, which began in 2011 before crowds often numbered only in the hundreds. BBC Sport reported that more than 50,000 tickets had been sold for England's meeting with New Zealand at Twickenham, underlining the size of the audience now seeking access to players.

Women's football has already faced similar pressures. In an announcement covering the 2024–25 season and beyond, Chelsea explained why they were ending informal autograph and photograph opportunities at Kingsmeadow. The club said rising demand had created safety concerns for supporters and players, and that uncontrolled access could no longer be sustained. They proposed organised meetings with fans as an alternative.

Chelsea's statement distinguished between problems outside the ground and those inside it. Surrounding roads and car parks were public land, limiting the effect of stewarding and creating concerns about traffic and overcrowding. Inside Kingsmeadow, the club cited congestion at the front of stands and blocked exits, alongside the need for players to follow their post-match recovery plans after the final whistle.

The club said its Fan Advisory Board and Chelsea Women Supporters Group had reviewed and supported those changes on safety grounds. Planned alternatives included signing sessions and additional organised events for match-going supporters, with priority opportunities for season-ticket and Stamford Bridge Match Package holders. The stated aim was to preserve player interaction in a controlled setting.