Hannah Botterman Sets Sights on the Top of World Rugby
English star Hannah Botterman has set an ambitious goal: to become the best loosehead prop in the world before the end of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Botterman shone in England’s inaugural victory over the United States with a resounding 69-7 in Sunderland. This match marked the beginning of a campaign in which the Red Roses are presented as the clear favorites to win the tournament.
Botterman scored the second of England’s 11 tries, and although she was satisfied with the team’s effort, she also has personal goals. “I’ve worked very hard during the preseason to get in good shape. I don’t want to be shy about the fact that I want to be the best loosehead prop in the world. I want to consolidate that in this tournament. For me, it was a good start, but I feel like I still have a lot more to give,” she stated.
Amidst laughter, she added: “Obviously, commentators love Ellie Kildunne, so… She does all the good stuff, so yeah.”
England faced a United States team that included Hope Rogers, considered one of the best loosehead props in the world. “Obviously, Hope is a very good player, she plays very well week after week in the Premier. But I don’t want there to be any question [as to whether Botterman is the best prop in the world], to be honest.”Hannah Botterman scored a try in England’s 69-7 victory over the United States.
“I think I’m in the conversation and now I just want to keep going and keep improving. Everyone can improve everywhere, but for a long time, my scrummaging wasn’t the best. I’ve really worked on that and I think it’s an area of strength now.”
“Regarding the attack, I am happy; defensively I think I can be a little stronger and throw my weight a little more. I feel physically in a very good place, now it’s just about showing the performances. I have put myself in a physically capable place. It’s just if I can produce what I want to produce. The desire has always been there, but I feel that now I can do a little more and I hope that has been demonstrated on the field.”
“But ultimately, I want the team to do as well as possible, and if I perform well within that, with your Ellie Kildunnes doing well, your Sadia Kabeyas, your Meg Jones, if everyone performs, then we put ourselves in a very good place. It’s been first class.”
Botterman also praised the work of scrum coach Nathan Catt at the camp.
“Catty has been great. She has brought us a lot of experience. She works very well with the complexities of the first lines and what we want to do. She has been fundamental for us, and having someone who focuses specifically on that area has been beneficial for us.”
In general, Botterman was satisfied with England’s performance in the first round and was happy to play in front of a record crowd in Sunderland.
“We are very fortunate to be in the position we are in now. Seeing all the people who came before us and who really worked to put us in this position, we obviously benefit from that now, but if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be here. Now we have to soak it in.”
