Italy 33-61 England
Packer scores four to set up possible France showdown
Marlie Packer may have made her England debut 18 years ago but she is playing some of her best rugby with the openside flanker once again key as the Red Roses set up a potential grand slam showdown against France next Sunday. The former England captain has won back the starting shirt because of the unavailability of other players after falling down the pecking order in the international setup.
At the World Cup last year Packer only played one match, which came against Samoa in the pool stage. She has said she will be there for the team that “means so much” to her in whatever capacity she is needed by the head coach, John Mitchell, but is proving she can still do more than a good job in a white shirt. The 36-year-old scored four tries in sunny Parma and also brought her leadership experience too. She played in her 116th game against Italy with the other two back-rowers both having less than 10 caps.
England had to contend with a team change but it was not as abrupt as fans may have thought. It was announced a few hours before kick-off that Maddie Feaunati was ruled out with a leg injury. Haineala Lutui started and Abi Burton moved to the back row but the injury happened earlier in the week and the Exeter No 8 did not travel with the England squad. The change also saw Christiana Balogun come on to the bench with the back-rower winning her first cap in the 64th minute. The landmark career moment for the Bristol player, who does not have a contract and works as a recruitment consultant, came just over three years after being given the all-clear from blood cancer.
