Marlie Packer just won't go away—and England's opponents are feeling the full force of it.
The 36-year-old veteran flanker scored a stunning four tries as England thrashed Italy 61-33 on Saturday, setting up a blockbuster Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France next week in Bordeaux. It's a fitting stage for a player who many thought might be winding down her international career.
Just over a year ago, Packer lost the England captaincy to Zoe Stratford and found herself slipping down the pecking order. She missed selection for last year's Grand Slam decider against France, and there were whispers about her future. But after becoming a two-time World Cup winner last year—despite not featuring in any knockout games—she made a bold declaration: she wasn't hanging up her boots any time soon.
That decision is paying off in spectacular fashion. With injuries and pregnancies disrupting head coach John Mitchell's starting pack, Packer has seized her opportunity. She earned player-of-the-match honors against Wales with a two-try display, and followed it up with an even more dominant performance in Parma.
"My secret weapon is that I am enjoying it and I have a smile back on my face," Packer told BBC Sport. "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."
Her four-try masterclass showcased her full arsenal: impressive acceleration to latch onto a kick through for her first score, then pure power as she bulldozed through Italy defenders for her fourth. At 115 caps, she's the oldest player in the squad, but she's playing with the energy of someone just starting out.
Mitchell summed it up perfectly: "Marlie doesn't go away, does she? After the World Cup she was like, 'Where do I sit?' and I said, 'Marlie, you are one of the best sevens in the country and if you are happy with that, I am happy with that.' She is so determined and she has achieved so much. All the standards that we have now have very much been shaped by the way she leads."
Now, Packer and the Red Roses head to Bordeaux's Stade Atlantique, a 42,115-capacity cauldron, for a Grand Slam decider that promises to be one of the biggest games in women's rugby history. If Packer's recent form is anything to go by, France better be ready for a player who simply refuses to fade away.