Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Marlie Packer enjoying new regime as she closes on Test century

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 04: Captain Marlie Packer of England leads the team out for the WXV1 match between New Zealand Silver Ferns and England at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on November 04, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Marlie Packer has plenty of reason to be excited as she stands on the start line of another Women’s Six Nations campaign.

ADVERTISEMENT

It is almost impossible to think of a superlative that does the England captain’s 2023 justice. In her first year as permanent Red Roses skipper, Packer led the team to a Six Nations Grand Slam, the inaugural WXV 1 title and was crowned World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year.

Under Packer’s leadership England won 10 Test matches out of 10 last year and 2024 has the potential to be just as special for the decorated Saracens flanker.

Barring injury, and Packer is confident she has overcome the calf issue suffered in club action recently, she will become only the seventh Englishwoman to become a Test centurion when she leads the Red Roses out in Parma on 24 March.

“I’m super excited, but I’m more excited about kicking off the tournament. As you saw with the Red Roses at WXV last year, we’ve changed the way we’re playing. We’re now evolving that. We’ve enjoyed the first half of the PWR season and we can’t wait to kick things off,” Packer said.

Video Spacer

“With regards to my 100th cap, I just want to get out there and play. We’ve got the likes of Abbie Ward, Emily Scarratt, Zoe Harrison coming back. We haven’t seen that calibre of players since the World Cup final.

“I’m more excited to see them come back than to get my 100th cap this coming month.”

Speaking to Packer at the Women’s Six Nations launch in London this week, it is clear how much she is enjoying working with new England head coach, John Mitchell.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although Mitchell described himself as England’s “invisible man” last year on Wednesday, his influence on the Red Roses was clear in their triumphant WXV 1 campaign in New Zealand and he has made no secret of his desire to evolve the team’s style of play.

For some people, especially those entering their mid-30s who have enjoyed incredible success playing a certain way, change might not seem overly enticing. But Packer has been energised by the new approach.

“I get on with Mitch [Mitchell] really well,” she said. “Sometimes I really get him and I feel like we’re on the same wavelength and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I know’. And then the next day we have a conversation and I’m like, ‘Oh, I need to work on that there’.

“He’s great. He poses questions, he makes you see the game differently to what I’ve seen before, he asks why we’re doing this and that and what other options we can have.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He’s a really nice guy and he’s been really refreshing. Going into WXV, the direction in how we wanted to play was still coming from Mitch, even though Deacs [Louis Deacon] was still in on everything. He’s put the full stop at the end of things.

“Sometimes we’d ask questions to coaches, and it would be quite open, but he has the last word, like ‘This is how I want things done, guys’.”

Packer added: “Different coaches set different challenges in what they want from you.

“I might not be the quickest in the bunch but put me in a 50-50 situation and I’m going to win the ball. That’s my mindset – it’s nobody else’s mindset. You have to have the mindset that you always want to win or do better.”

It is that drive that shut down any suggestion that Packer might sit out England’s trip to Parma next weekend to celebrate her 100th appearance closer to home, in Bristol.

More than 15,000 tickets have already been sold for the match against Wales at Ashton Gate on 30 March and Packer revealed on Wednesday that Mitchell had checked in to see what she wanted to do. His captain’s competitive spirit held firm, however.

“The conversation did happen with Mitch, which was quite nice,” Packer explained. “I didn’t think there’d be an open conversation about it.

“For me it’s about the rose, the shirt and leaving it in a better place because it might be the last time you wear it.

“It’s a privilege to be selected for a Test. So, for him to ask me, ‘What are you thinking? How are you feeling?’ I said, ‘No, I want to start the Six Nations as Red Roses captain and get my 100th cap then and I want to finish the Six Nations as Red Roses captain’.

“I won’t let up my shirt for anyone else.”

Packer’s stance is also an indication of just how competitive the Red Roses squad is as they attempt to win a sixth successive Six Nations championship.

Mitchell has described the team’s potential as “huge” and with competition from the likes of Sadia Kabeya, Zoe Aldcroft, Alex Matthews and the uncapped Maddie Feaunati, Packer knows she cannot rest on her laurels.

“I just need to keep doing me. I don’t need to be anyone else,” she said. “I’ve never been anyone else in my career, I just need to keep driving myself and pushing myself.

“They’re all incredible players who bring different attributes to the game. But I know I bring something different and I can call on those players – or myself – to put in a performance.

“I say this now, not one player will play probably every 80 minutes of this Six Nations, because of the physicality in the women’s game there now is and the tempo we want to play at.

“We’re building to something bigger – it is about the Six Nations and winning it – but we’re also building to the 2025 World Cup. We have new names in this squad that are really exciting – they’re going to get their opportunity, while others won’t.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 37 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

Cape Town | Leg 2 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series 2025 | Full Day Replay

Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 36 | Six Nations Round 3 Review

Why did Scotland's Finn Russell take the crucial kick from the wrong place? | Whistle Watch

England A vs Ireland A | Full Match Replay

Kubota Spears vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | JRLO 2024/2025 | Full Match Replay

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

b
ballard marisol 45 minutes ago
Crusaders rookie earns 'other than Dupont' praise from All Blacks star

It all started when I was lured into investing by an FX trader I met on Instagram. The trader seemed professional and confident, sharing stories of massive returns from their investments. They promised that I could make five times that back within seven days by investing a certain amount. The offer was too good to pass up, and it was a golden opportunity to grow my money. After all, the trader had proof of their success and seemed trustworthy. I decided to invest, and over the next five weeks, I paid a total of $7,200 to the trader's company. Each time I tried to withdraw my funds or the supposed earnings I’d accumulated, they came up with new excuses and reasons why I needed to pay more money before I could access my earnings. They claimed I had to cover additional fees, taxes, or "security deposits" before processing my withdrawal. At first, I hesitated, but with every new claim, they made it seem like I had no other choice if I wanted to see my money again. It was a frustrating and confusing process, and each time I questioned them, they reassured me that I would get my money soon. Eventually, I realized I had been scammed. I was fed up and desperate, but I didn’t know what to do. That’s when, luckily, I stumbled upon a post from someone who had gone through a similar situation. They recommended a company called Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of crypto recovery experts who specialize in helping people recover lost funds from fraudulent investment schemes. At first, I was hesitant. After all, I’d already been deceived once, and I wasn’t sure if I could trust another company. However, I decided to take the risk and contacted Tech Cyber Force Recovery. I shared my transaction history and details with them, and within just seven hours, they asked for my wallet address. To my amazement, I received $6,300 back into my wallet. I can’t express how grateful I am to Tech Cyber Force Recovery for their help. They were professional, prompt, and thorough in their approach, and they truly helped me recover a significant portion of my lost money. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I highly recommend reaching out to recovery experts like Tech Cyber Force Recovery. They truly made a difference in my case, and I’m incredibly thankful for their support.You can reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery MAIL Techcybersforcerecovery@cyberservices.com

6 Go to comments
M
Mamakenzo 1 hour ago
Player-led change gets thumbs up but jury out on selection: Andy Goode

Bring Back Ex Lover, Lost Love Spell Caster, Voodoo love spell in UK, Belfast, Lord Howe Island, Victoria, Sydney, Brisbane, Botswana , Alabama Are you looking for the best help? Have you been searching all over to find a professional and real African traditional herbalist/spell caster? If your answer to these questions is “YES”, then you have come to the right place! We are determined to offer exactly what you’re seeking: Fast and everlasting results! From love spells to money spells, we provide the most authentic spells you’ve ever encountered. I am an Expert Spell Caster, I have learned all my works from my ancestors and forefathers who were also into these religious areas. With spiritual help, ancestral powers and spiritual guidance we can cure an individual and carry beneficial efforts in his or her lifestyle. It is also possible to eliminate any kind of adverse power and to cure.Also if you have any kind of real query in your thoughts, you can always email me with all your concerns or issues and I will be directing you in the best way I can. https://www.specialspellz.com EX Back Spell This spell is for those of you that have lost your lover and can’t seem to find yourself moving on with life without them. My Ex Back Spell will return that person to you. My EX Back spell is my most popular spell and has helped many people win back the heart of their lover. Soul Mate Spell Are you tired of spending your life without love; every date that you go on you never seem to have that magical connection with any of them? You see other couples having a good time together but all you have to look forward to is the microwave meal waiting for you in the freezer. Everyone has a soul mate out there for them and I would strongly encourage you with my Soul Mate Spell so that the two of you can cross paths sooner. My Soul Mate Spell has opened a new life to many and it can do the same for you. Breakup and Come Back To Me Spell Have you lost your lover to another person and they are happy in the arms of another person but you still love them and want them back then you need to break up and come back to me spell. This spell is broken down into two spell castings, one being I have to vanish the new lover in your special person’s life and the second being I will have to cast a spell of guidance over them so they find their way back to your loving heart. Marriage Spell Are you waiting for your soul Mate to ask for your hand in marriage but they don’t seem to be seeing all the signs you are showing them. You just want them to see that there is a future with you in the long term. My Marriage spell will make them dream of a married life with you, this spell will give your lover the energy boost it needs to ask for your hand in marriage; just don’t forget to invite me as you see the results of this spell manifesting. All my spells are genuinely proven .No spell has ever failed to bring about the desired effects. Best spells ever from the best experienced spell caster. We help where others have failed. It's your chance to regain your happiness only through Mama Kenzo's Powerful and fast Spells. Check from my list below and point to your problem. However, even if your problem does not fall in the category below, don’t hesitate to email it to us, we shall venture into it and our experience will of course cut open your problem and solve it. • Relationship problem solution/husband wife problem solution/get back lost lover • Work related problems/get promoted at your work/win work hearing • Win bonds/Tenders/contracts/loans within 12 hours • Criminal matters/legal matters/court cases/divorce cases • Lottery wins/ lotto/horses/soccer big wins/ all gambling activates • Body cleansing/property cleansing/ business cleansing. • Business promotion/sales promotion/ customer attraction. • Unfinished jobs by other doctors/ Delayed jobs/ failed jobs. • Magic ring/ magic wallet/ magic stick for wealth and marriage. • Spells for getting married to the lover of your life. • Spells for love, victory and sympathy. • Fix broken marriage, relationships and finding a missing person. • Spells for getting job/employment/higher pay/job protection. • Spells for loan repayment/debts and financial problems. • Expert in destroying effects of black magic/evil witchcraft. • Getting rid of the effects of evil eyes/ evil spirits. • Fertility medicines/ impregnation of a woman/birth medicine. • Spells for release of a captive/prisoner in 12 hours. • Spells for fulfillment of any need within. Contact Prof Mama Kenzo +27734863310 VISIT: https://www.specialspellz.com EMAIL: Profmamakenzo10@gmail.com

7 Go to comments
A
Amelia Jonathan 4 hours ago
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

My name is Amelia Jonathan from the United States, Using this opportunity to thank Dr. Ughulu is a grateful thing to me, for over years I have been sick with Hepatitis B disease, I have done a lot of things to get cured of my diseases and nothing has worked out. I have taken different types of medication for it , but it still doesn’t work for me. I still keep going for a check up so that the doctor will tell me my disease has be gone, because i’m taking my medicine with no result nothing has been cured, I have spent a lot of money just to get cure of Hepatitis B. until my old time friend came to my place and saw what am going through, and then direct me to contact Dr. Ughulu who is a very powerful man, which I did explain my problem to Dr. Ughulu and send me a herbal remedy bottle and explain to me how I should drink it. So I started to drink the herbal tea in one week that I drink the herbal tea. I went for a check up to check if I’m cured from Hepatitis B disease, then the nurse told me nothing is wrong with me anymore and said I’m fine. I am the happiest person right now. I promise Dr Ughulu I will testify about his good work on the internet. Reach out to Dr. Ughulu Via: drughulupowerfulspelltemple@gmail.com Thank you so much sir for what you did for me you’re the best of all. TEXT OR CALL: +1(252) 409-1841 or website: https://drughulupowerfulsp.wixsite.com/my-site-ughulu WHATSAPP NUMBER: +1(720) 794-2516

4 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'I'm not surprised': Former Sevens coach impressed with All Blacks bolter Former Sevens coach impressed with All Blacks bolter
Search