This past Saturday the rugby world witnessed the departure of a true icon, as Sarah Hunter decided to retire following the opening round of the 2023 Women’s Six Nations. The legendary England captain hung up her boots where it all began, in her hometown of Newcastle.
Hunter’s co-captain Marlie Packer has stepped up to take full control of the reigns, and lead the Red Roses forward into the future. Hunter departed after 58 minutes against Scotland, and received a resounding ovation from the capacity crowd at Kingston Park. England’s leading appearance holder was clapped and cheered off the pitch, in a moving moment that will live long in the memory of rugby fans.
Now with Packer at the helm, England are hoping to retain their Six Nations title, with hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams to boot. Tributes and words of support have flooded in towards the decorated number eight, with Packer also commenting on Hunter’s celebrated career.
“It’s a whole new group of girls in this squad, we came together three weeks ago, and we took things back to basics,” Packer said to Sky Sports.
“And what we talked about in these three weeks, we put that performance in on the pitch. Massive shout out to Sarah Hunter, 141 caps, she came out and put in a hell of a performance.
“But for me, I’m super proud of what they’ve achieved. We have a day off on Monday and then we’ll build again, we’ll come back into camp and we go again. It’s a really exciting time, it’s an exciting time for women’s sport, but for women’s rugby especially.
“I’m really privileged and proud to be a part of it and the legacy that Sarah Hunter has left behind, all of us want to keep going with what she’s done.”
Packer marked her intentions on this new era for the Red Roses, and led from the front for an emphatic win over Scotland. Packer scored a hat-trick of tries, with the rolling maul being the go-to move of the match, as England recorded a staggering 58-7 win over their old enemy.
ENGLAND CAREER
Marlie Packer has been apart of the Red Roses squad since making her debut in 2008, just one year after her former co-captain Hunter. Packer and Hunter have been a teammate duo in the England back row for the majority of their careers, with Hunter’s retirement now sending Packer into rather uncharted waters.
In 2013, Packer was selected to test her skills in the England Women’s Sevens side, and enjoyed a globe-trotting adventure across the sevens circuit. She competed in Moscow for the 2013 Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens, as England finished 6th overall.
Following impressive performances for England sevens, Packer pushed on and worked her way into the Red Roses squad. She was selected for the 2014 Rugby World Cup, which saw a monumental triumph as England won the entire competition. Packer started on the blindside flank as England lifted the trophy after victory over Canada, she had Hunter alongside her at number eight, and World Rugby Hall of Famer Magi Alphonsi on the openside.
A three time member of England’s Rugby World Cup squad, Packer was also involved in the sides that lost to the Black Ferns of New Zealand in both the 2017 and 2022 finals. Having been at the heart of the England squad for over a decade, Packer has collected her fair share of Six Nations winners medals along the way. Packer has won four Grand Slam titles as England dominated the competition throughout the late 2010s and into the 2020’s.
In 2017, Packer was a pivotal player with unmatched defence. Her presence was vital as England won the Grand Slam, after securing victory in the final round against Ireland. After many standout years for her country, Packer was awarded the 2021/22 RPA England Women Player of the Year Award.
England are looking to win a staggering fifth Six Nations title in a row. This remarkable feat was last achieved in 2010, as the Red Roses won an unprecedented seven consecutive Six Nations titles, from 2006 to 2012. Packer is leading the way, and looks set to keep a firm hold of the reigns for the foreseeable future. England may be on the verge of replicating this ‘magnificent seven’, as they enter a new era of Red Roses success.
CLUB CAREER
A Yeovil native, Packer started off her career at Ivel Barbarians at the age of five, growing up at her childhood club before joining Bath in 2007. The back-rower then made the change to rivalling Somerset club Bristol in 2009, where she remained for six seasons. After enjoying her tenure in Avon, Packer set off on a new adventure, and moved away from the West Country and down to London.
Firstly signing for Wasps, Packer headed to West London in 2013, and after three years she was soon back in Bristol for the 2016/17 season. The West Country will forever be home for Packer, but the flanker once again returned to London, this time signing with Saracens at the start of the inaugural Premier 15s season in 2017/18.
Packer has gone on to win the Premier 15s title on three occasions, with Saracens winning the first two campaigns. Baack-to-back finals victories over Harlequins Women, saw Packer add to her already impressive collection of winners medals. She had to settle for runner-up in 2021, as Harlequins returned the favour and won their first Premier 15s title, in line with the Harlequins men winning the Gallagher Premiership that same season.
Yet Saracens were back on top before too long, and won their third Premier 15s title after beating Exeter Chiefs 43-21 in the final.