Marlie Packer isn’t interested in easy wins. A member of John Mitchell’s current Red Roses squad with the most players wants the side to be pushed, tested and forced to find another gear – and she believes that is exactly what is happening as the women’s game continues to grow.
After England’s 39-match winning streak was ended Canada in an emphatic 26-26 draw at Sandy Park in the WXV Global Series, the 36-year-old winger insists there is plenty to take from the contest.
“We’re not happy with the draw, but we didn’t lose the match and it was a really great game of rugby.
“If you’re neutral watching that game, that’s the kind of rugby you want to come and watch. You don’t know who’s going to win, there were goals from end to end and it was such a physical game.
“We’re in a test series against Canada. It’s our first game and we’ve got two away games now, so when we come to play them in Canada in a few weeks, we know what we have to get right and what our mindset has to be,” she explained.
For now, however, Canada can wait.
The focus has shifted to New Zealand, The Hague and the brand new Allianz Stadium pitch – and Packer can’t wait to get going.
“The mood was very good in the camp. He is focused and ready to return.
“We can’t wait to get back to the Allianz Stadium. It’s the home of English rugby.
“The pitch is crazy. It’s brand new. Nobody’s played on it before and the Red Roses are the first to go out on it. That’s pretty special in itself.”
“Then we face each other New Zealand and Hak and there are some players on our team who have never faced Hak, so little things like that are exciting.
“How many people do you know who are going to face Hak? We’re all looking forward to it in different ways, but collectively as a group, we want to go and put on a show and show what we are as Red Roses,” added the experienced England international.
“From the first to the 80th minute, we want to do everything we can to get the result we want and we are enjoying this opportunity.”
Packer has seen firsthand how much the women’s game has changed and wants to see that evolution continue.
Red Roses have set high standards. Now, she wants everyone else to chase him.
“We want to keep raising the bar,” she said.
“The Red Roses always raise that bar higher and then it’s up to the other teams below to raise their game. That’s exactly what’s happening and that’s what we want.
“The more the game becomes professional and the more the unions put money into their women’s sides, the better competitions we will see in rugby.
“We don’t want to turn up and have to have targets in games because we know we’re going to win. We want to be in the rugby competition. We want to keep getting better at ourselves.”
With Australia host of the next Women’s Rugby World Cup In 2029, Packer knows that global competition will continue to intensify.
“Australia have the World Cup in their backyard, so they want to improve and get better.
“For us, it’s just making sure we don’t worry too much about what other teams are doing and we stick to doing what we do, which is raising the bar and trying to be better for us as rugby players and athletes.”
There was also a new face in the Red Roses camp this week and it’s not exactly a low profile face.
Ex France Defense coach Shaun Edwards has linked up with John Mitchell’s England squad on a short-term deal for the WXV Global Series.
The 59-year-old left his role with Fabien Galthie’s squad in the summer after almost six years, during which France won the 2022 men’s competition. Six Nations Grand Slam and back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026.
“He came to camp a few days ago and we were told. I found out at the leadership meeting earlier this week,” Packer said of the arrival of Edwards, who will bring more than four decades of professional rugby experience to the Red Roses.
“He’s come in, he’s outspoken, he knows his stuff and his CV is amazing. He’s got more Six Nations than plenty of girls to be fair to him,” she added with a laugh.
There was a lot of excitement among the Red Roses team as well.
“Meg Jones was obviously buzzing! A lot of girls said, ‘Oh yeah, that’s our dad’s idol,’
“It’s not just cool for us as players, it’s cool for the staff. To have someone of his caliber connecting with you and throwing ideas around training, it’s amazing for the whole program.”
“He told us a little story about why he wanted to be here and it’s really special. He talked about how his mom never got a chance to play and he thought we were great, which was really cool to hear.”
“Defensively, he made us look at a few bits a little differently and added some extras.
“I call it like tools to your toolbox, so you might not use them, but you have a tool that if you need it, you can take it out of the toolbox and use it,” she added.
“I guess as a plumber, that’s how I look at things!”
Despite all the talk surrounding Edwards’ arrival, Canada and the draw, Packer is adamant that none of that is getting in the way of the Red Roses.
The Test series against Canada is still over, but first they face the Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium.
“All the noise of new coaches and a draw at the weekend, that’s not where we’re at,” concluded Packer.
“As a team, we are only concentrating on Saturday at the Allianz Stadium against New Zealand.
“We’ve got a game to prepare for and turn up and play at the weekend and that’s what we’re going to do.”
