Lucy Packer: Nerves in Grand Slam decider and Red Rose scrum-half to beat France

During this tournament, he was able to lean on Meg Jones a little more to lift his spirits.

Like England’s new captain, Packer was born and raised in Wales. The pair will occasionally exchange a word or two of Welsh, a reminder of home and family.

“We have some funny phrases that no one else understands, but it really makes us laugh,” says Packer.

“He’s very good at making things quite light and I’m probably the opposite – I take it quite seriously.”

There is plenty to be serious about when they face France in Bordeaux.

Given England’s home run at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, WXV’s raucous crowd and expected record attendance at the 42,000-capacity Stade Atlantique, this is perhaps the most hostile environment the Red Roses have played in since that horrific defeat at Eden Park in 2022.

England’s streak of 37 consecutive victories since the merger is in definite jeopardy.

But, beyond his notes and focus points, there is something else, less easily defined, that makes Packer stronger under pressure.

“As a team we’re all very critical of ourselves, but there’s a bond that’s really important to us,” she says.

“The biggest thing is how tight we are as a group – and that really carries us.”

Packer, his team and that unity will be tested.

But a scrum-half, book smart, street smart and quick at breakdowns, can pass most things.