MARLIE PACKER

She is as fierce as ever on the field but there is a softer side to the new Red Roses captain

- Harry Latham - Coyle

ARLIE PACKER takes a deep breath as she settles deeply into her chair and her new role as England captain, her mind at a whir as she considers a hectic few weeks. Life was already busy enough, balancing being one of the Red Roses’ best with parenting a tearaway toddler, but the extra responsibilities that have come since her elevation to high office means spare moments are few and far between.

“It’s been a lot more than what I expected,” the flanker admits with a chuckle as we speak in the thick of a Women’s Six Nations campaign. Leading her country is an honour that means plenty to Packer, but there is plenty to juggle. “It is a big deal and I’ve come to realise that very quickly. The amount of meetings you have to do, the commercial stuff, press conferences; there is so much more to the role than I ever thought there would be.

“I’m loving it. I’m really enjoying it. The desire to be England captain was always there. It’s been a whirlwind and one I feel very privileged about. It might all change with the new coach coming in, players coming back from injury or pregnancy. You don’t know what the new coaches will be thinking. But the feedback I’ve had has been really positive.”

Initially appointed co-captain for the tournament, Packer was one of a few individuals given advanced notice of Sarah Hunter’s abdication, sworn to secrecy before the official proclamation. Though the retirement of England’s leading lady for the best part of a decade had been broadly anticipated, some felt she might continue on until the end of the tournament, shepherding this England squad to the end of an era with coach Simon Middleton also stepping away.