Unstoppable Marlie Packer Scores Four Tries as England March Toward Women's Six Nations Grand Slam Glory

Packer Proves She's Still the Real Deal with Four-Try Masterclass

At 36 years old, Marlie Packer is refusing to let anyone write her off. The veteran England flanker silenced any remaining doubters with a breathtaking four-try display in England's commanding 61-33 victory over Italy in Parma, setting up a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France next Sunday at the Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux.

It is the kind of performance that reminds everyone exactly why Packer has remained one of the most formidable forwards in international women's rugby — and why her decision to keep playing was absolutely the right one.

From the Fringes to the Spotlight

Not so long ago, Packer's place in the England setup looked uncertain. She had lost the captaincy to Zoe Stratford at the beginning of last year and was battling just to secure a spot in the squad for the home World Cup. Although she ultimately featured at the tournament, she was kept out of the knockout stages as England claimed the title.

Despite being overtaken in the pecking order by rising star Sadia Kabeya — who was named player of the match in the World Cup final — Packer made it crystal clear just days after lifting her second World Cup trophy that she had no intention of retiring. Contracted with Saracens until June 2026 and feeling in the best shape of her career, she committed to pushing on.

That determination has paid off handsomely. With injuries and pregnancies depleting head coach John Mitchell's starting pack, Packer has seized her opportunity with both hands.

A Four-Try Performance for the Ages

In Parma, Packer was simply unstoppable. She opened her account with a sharp burst of acceleration to collect a well-placed kick through, before going on to bully her way through the Italian defence on three further occasions — most memorably smashing past multiple defenders to complete her fourth score.

The performance earned her the player-of-the-match award, adding to a similar accolade she received after a two-try outing against Wales earlier in the tournament. With 12 tackles made and 92 metres gained from 14 carries against Italy, her numbers were as impressive as her tries.

Packer Speaks Out on Her Resurgence

"My secret weapon is that I am enjoying it and I have a smile back on my face," Packer told BBC Sport. "I am getting the minutes. For the last couple of years, Sadia Kabeya has had the nod over me but fair play, I have my opportunity at the moment and I am enjoying it. There is no pressure."

Mitchell and Jones Sing Her Praises

Head coach John Mitchell was characteristically direct when asked about his veteran flanker, who has now earned 115 caps and led England to back-to-back Grand Slams in 2024.

"Marlie doesn't go away, does she?" Mitchell told BBC Sport. "After the World Cup she was asking where she stood, and I told her she is one of the best sevens in the country. She is so determined and has achieved so much. The standards we hold ourselves to have been shaped by the way she leads."

England captain Megan Jones was equally effusive in her admiration for her former skipper. "She has a never-say-die attitude and is next level," Jones said. "She goes 100% even when we are just walking."

England's Dominance Continues — But Cracks Appear

Saturday's result in Parma extended England's extraordinary unbeaten Six Nations run to 38 consecutive victories. The world champions have not suffered a tournament defeat since 2018 and are now chasing an eighth consecutive title along with a fifth straight Grand Slam — a level of dominance that is virtually unparalleled in the sport.

However, Mitchell will not be entirely satisfied. Both Wales and Italy have managed to score bonus-point tries against England in recent rounds, registering 24 and 31 points respectively — the highest tallies either side has ever posted against the world champions. Against Italy, England also missed 15 tackles, a defensive statistic that will demand attention ahead of the France showdown.

The squad has also been heavily disrupted, with nine of the 13 forwards who featured in the World Cup final currently unavailable. Two players — Haidee Head and Christiana Balogun — made their international debuts as replacements in Parma.

The Grand Slam Decider Awaits

Since the Women's Six Nations format was restructured in 2022 to place England and France in a climactic final-round fixture, every edition has culminated in a Grand Slam decider. England have won all four of those meetings, though last year's contest at Allianz Stadium was decided by a single point — the closest their historic winning run has come to ending.

Now, with the 42,115-capacity Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux as the stage and Marlie Packer in the form of her life, England will be confident of making it five from five. For Packer herself, it represents a chance at the kind of fitting finale she missed out on last year — and if her recent performances are anything to go by, France had better be ready.