Packer ’emotional’ on return as Red Roses captain

England vs. Spain warm-up for the Rugby World Cup

Location: Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Saturday, August 2nd Kick-off: 00 BST

Marlie Packer, England’s flanker, admits she felt “emotional” about the possibility of taking the Red Roses back against Spain on Saturday in the women’s rugby world cup warm-up game.

After two seasons in the role, Zoe Aldcroft took the 35-year-old to the England skipper in January.

Packer, who is 111-captain, will still lead the team in Aldcroft’s absence in Leicester this weekend despite head coach John Mitchell choosing Aldcroft to take the place of him for this month’s World Cup.

What’s more enjoyable than playing at home World Cup? I’m going to give everything I can to help with this. That will begin against Spain this weekend, according to Packer.

I mentioned my role in the first couple of games in the pre-season with Mirch in a conversation that occurred quite early in the season.

I got a little emotional when he said, “I am going to name you as captain for the first warm-up game.”

You just don’t know if you’ll get the nod again because Zoe has been doing amazing work.

Packer last played for the Red Roses against Scotland on April 19 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, where the game will be played.

In their final warm-up match against France in Mont-de-Marsan on Saturday, Mitchell’s side will face Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on August 22 against the United States.

Packer will face difficult competition to start the opener in the back row despite being one of only four World Cup winners from the squad from 2014.

Packer has also had a busy off-field career, with Rosie Galligan making an England team-mate’s proposal.

Galligan discovered the ring she wanted while taking a city trip to Bath a few months ago, but Packer claimed the expense and blatant reference to the upcoming World Cup made it too expensive.

Packer then made a covert call to the store to secure the purchase.

She continued, “That same week, I got it sized up and ordered.”

“We had a week off after Treviso, so I knew I had to do it.” I inquired about visiting on that day with her father and the rest of the family.

She inquired if she would mind if she had her hair done and went to get her nails done. Everything worked flawlessly.

“We initially began speaking at a reservoir just outside Guildford,” I said.

She texted me to meet me at this location because she was on her way. It was flawless, and there was no better way to do it. She was incredibly surprised.

Due to upcoming family weddings in 2026, 2027 is still likely the wedding year, but Packer is aware of the British and Irish Lions’ first women’s tour to New Zealand that September.

Galligan, 28, is likely to be considered for a squad spot because she is in her prime.

Parker, 36, isn’t certain if she will be competing by that time.

Packer joked, “With the back row at the Red Roses and every other nation, I think I would only be going to the Lions.” Although I would like to play there in some capacity, there will be some truly outstanding world-class players in 2027.