After being left out of last year’s Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France, Marlie Packer’s illustrious international career appeared to be winding down. However, the 36-year-old, who lost the England captaincy to Zoe Stratford at the start of 2025, found herself lower in the selection order and battling for a spot in the home World Cup squad.
Packer did participate in the tournament but remained on the periphery, not playing in any knockout matches as England claimed the title. Yet, less than a week after becoming a two-time World Cup winner, she declared she was “not hanging up her boots any time soon.”
Despite being overtaken by Sadia Kabeya, who was named player of the match in the World Cup final, the Saracens forward stated she was under contract until June 2026 and felt fitter than ever. That decision proved wise. The Red Roses have secured another Grand Slam decider against France next week, following a 61-33 victory over Italy, a win spearheaded by Packer’s four tries.
The performance earned her the player-of-the-match award, just as her two-try display against Wales had. The veteran forward capitalized on injuries and pregnancies disrupting John Mitchell’s starting pack. “My secret weapon is that I am enjoying it and I have a smile back on my face,” Packer told BBC Sport. “I am getting the minutes. For the last couple of years, Sadia Kabeya has had the nod over me but fair play, I have my opportunity at the moment and I am enjoying it. I have a smile and there is no pressure.”
In Parma, Packer showed impressive acceleration to latch onto a kick through for her opening try, before bulldozing her way to the tryline three more times—smashing through several Italy defenders for her fourth score. Despite being the oldest player in the squad, she is now firmly in line to feature in the decider against France next Sunday at the 42,115-capacity Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux.
“Marlie doesn’t go away, does she?” Mitchell said when asked about the 115-cap flanker, who led her country to back-to-back Grand Slams in 2024. “After the World Cup she was like, ‘Where do I sit?’ and I said, ‘Marlie, you are one of the best sevens in the country and if you are happy with that, I am happy with that.’ She is so determined and she has achieved so much. All the standards that we have now have very much been shaped by the way she leads.”
England captain Megan Jones also praised her former skipper, who registered 12 tackles against Italy and gained 92 metres from 14 carries. “She has a never-say-die attitude and is next level. She goes 100% even when we are walking,” Jones added.
England’s win in Parma sealed a 38th consecutive Six Nations victory. Given the world champions have not lost in the tournament since 2018, are chasing an eighth straight title, and a fifth Grand Slam in a row, being undefeated heading into the final round—while never a given—would have been a seismic shock. However, the tournament has not come without difficulties. In the past two games, Wales and Italy have both scored bonus-point tries against Mitchell’s side, registering 24 and 31 points respectively—their highest totals against the world champions. Defence will be an area of concern for Mitchell, with 15 tackles missed against the Azzurre.
