Women’s Six Nations 2026: Four-try Marley Packer ‘not going’ – John Mitchell

Missing out on last year’s Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France, Marley Packer’s impressive international career may appear to some to be on the wane.

The 36-year-old, who lost the England captaincy to Zoe Stratford early last year, has slipped down the ranks and is struggling to make the World Cup squad.

Packer continued to play during the season, but remained on the sidelines and did not participate in any of the playoffs as England had honors.

Less than a week after becoming a two-time World Cup winner, she announced. “She’s no sooner closing her shoes.”

The Saracens forward is under contract until June 2026 and says she feels as good as ever despite being skipped out by player of the year Sadia Kabeya at the World Cup finals.

It was a good decision to move on. The Red Roses have another Grand Slam decider against France next week thanks to Saturday. Italy won 61-33A win over the Packers leading by four tries.

The performance earned her man of the match honors, in both Tests against Wales, the veteran forward took advantage of injury and pregnancy to thwart John Mitchell’s debutant pack.

“My secret weapon is enjoying it and it puts a smile on my face,” Packer told BBC Sport.

“I’m getting the minutes. For the last two years, Sadia Kabeya has been critical of me, but fair play, I’ve got my chance at the moment and I’m enjoying it. I’m smiling and there’s no pressure.”

In Parma, Packer showed impressive speed to beat several Italian defenders for the fourth time before being bulldozed to the tryline for her opening try.

Despite being the team’s oldest player, Packer is firmly in line to take part in Sunday’s decider against France at the 42,115-capacity Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux.

“Marley, you’re not going, are you?” Mitchell told BBC Sport when asked about the 115-cap flanker who led her country to back-to-back Grand Slams in 2024.

“After the World Cup, ‘Where do I sit?’ And I said, ‘Marley, you’re one of the top seven guys in the country and if you’re happy with that, I’m happy with that.’

She is very determined and achieves a lot. All the standards we have now are very much shaped by her leadership style.

England captain Megan Jones was full of praise for her former boss, who scored 12 goals against Italy and made 92 meters from 14 caps.

Jones added, “She has a never-say-die attitude and keeps going. Even when we walk, she goes 100%.”