Following a period of consistent starts, 24-year-old England prop Hannah Botterman appears to have reached her peak form, thanks to the guidance of new coach John Mitchell during the ongoing Women’s Six Nations. Despite setbacks from injuries sustained at the 2022 World Cup and last year’s WXV tournament, Botterman is now making a significant impact, having scored two tries in England’s three victories and making over 170 metres with the ball.
In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Botterman expressed her satisfaction with her current performance, stating, “The thing that has always held me back in the last two or three years has been the consistency of availability to play and being fit. You can’t play your best rugby if you are not even available to play.”
The sudden departure of Vickii Cornborough, the regular starting prop for England, after the World Cup final defeat by New Zealand, followed by her eventual retirement from international rugby, has provided Botterman with the opportunity for more regular starts. Additionally, Botterman’s move from Saracens to Bristol Bears before the start of the season has enabled her to adapt to a new environment and continue her progression as a player. This change has offered her more game time and the chance to work closely on her fitness, aiming to improve her overall performance on the field.
The shift from the team’s former attacking style, which predominantly relied on a strong maul, to a higher tempo in attack under Mitchell’s coaching, has been beneficial for Botterman’s physical ball carrying skills. Regarding the change in style of play, Botterman mentioned, “The plan is still to be the most dominant pack that there is. Just the style of play has changed massively. We used to play more of a territory game whereas now we have more of a licence to play if we think it is on, which therefore means we get more hands on the ball.”
With the Red Roses aiming for a third successive Grand Slam and a sixth successive Six Nations title, Botterman is confident about the team’s capabilities. They are set to face Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday, with a crowd of over 45,000 expected to attend the match. Botterman expressed her excitement about the upcoming game, highlighting the significance of playing at Twickenham, stating, “Playing at Twickenham is the pinnacle of any English player’s career. When you get the chance to do that, you all want to perform.”
In conclusion, Botterman’s resilience and determination to overcome injuries, coupled with her improved fitness and adaptability to the new attacking style, have contributed to her standout performances in the ongoing Women’s Six Nations. As she continues to thrive under Mitchell’s coaching, her impact on the team’s success is set to become even more significant in the future.