Two legends retire in the same week

It has been a week of momentous retirements in women’s sport, as two English greats have decided to call time on their illustrious careers.

England rugby captain Sarah Hunter has announced she will retire after the opening Women’s Six Nations game against Scotland on Saturday, which is being played in her home city of Newcastle.

The inspirational Hunter is the world’s most capped female player, with 140 international appearances to her name.

Read the fantastic story of Sarah’s rise of prominence.

Also leaving the arena for a final time is Olympic champion and hockey legend Maddie Hinch.

For a nation scarred by many penalty shootout failures, particularly in men’s football, Hinch gave us something incredibly special to savour when she saved four penalties to seal the gold medal for GB in the Rio Olympics of 2016.

"It's a part of my life I'll always struggle to comprehend," she said.

"But I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of the golden era of the sport," the 34-year-old told BBC Sport.

Here is Maddie’s amazing story