23 March 2023 , 22:38
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Marlie Packer pauses briefly to consider how tough England will find bouncing back from losing the World Cup final.
It is 19 weeks since their world record 30-game winning streak was ended by tournament hosts New Zealand in Auckland. A little over four months since the world’s No.1 side lost winger Lydia Thompson to an early red card when 14-0 ahead and lost 34-31.
Against Scotland in Newcastle tomorrow, in front of a sell-out crowd, they launch yet another Six Nations title defence. Captain Sarah Hunter is playing her last game before retirement, coach Simon Middleton has served notice that this is his final tournament.
Into the breach steps Saracens flanker Packer who wins her 90th cap and her final one before taking sole charge of the team.
On the face of it, her task is straightforward given England are chasing a fifth straight championship and have not lost a Six Nations match since 2018.
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But that is to dismiss the emotional toll of timing their first defeat in four years with the biggest game of women’s rugby ever played.
Marlie Packer co-captains England against Scotland and will take sole charge next week following Sarah Hunter's retirement (Steve Bardens)So painful was it that Thompson said last week she was living with “complete blame” for the loss of the World Cup.
None of her team mates ever pointed the finger but the fact she had to be talked out of quitting shows how heavy a cross that Kiwi defeat is to bear.
Against this backdrop Packer, 33, finds the words she hopes will set an uplifting tone for what comes next.
England players celebrate Amy Cokayne's try in Women's Rugby World Cup final (PA)“The next World Cup is in England in 2025," she says. "I’ve got a young son and I’m already imagining running out in front of him and 80,000 others at a sold-out Twickenham for the final.
"Personally, I can’t think of much in life that could top that.”
Which is not to simply draw a veil over the grief of that loss and assume everyone just cracks on as if it never happened.
England captain Sarah Hunter plays her final Test tomorrow in her home city (PA)“It was tough to take,” she adds. “So tough. Because I felt we lost the game. New Zealand weren’t the better team on the day. But we get back on the horse and we go again.
“We are far from the finished article right now. We’re rebuilding and it’s not going to be perfect first time. It’s about our attitude, how we go in and attack the game.
“I like to think I know the character of this squad, even with a lot of new faces. We are a resilient bunch. We adapt quickly to the changing environment. You’ll see that Saturday.”
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Emily Scarratt, pictured in England's World Cup semi-final win over Canada, is one of players missing from opening Six Nations weekend (PA)2022/23 Women’s Six Nations Championship
Round 1: Sat 25 Mar - Wales v Ireland (Cardiff, 2.15pm), England v Scotland (Newcastle, 4.45pm). Sun 26 Mar - Italy v France (Parma, 3pm)
Round 2: Sat 1 Apr - Ireland v France (Cork, 3.15pm), Scotland v Wales (Edinburgh, 5.30pm). Sun 2 Apr - England v Italy (Northampton, 3pm)
Round 3: Sat 15 Apr - Wales v England (Cardiff, 2.15pm), Italy v Ireland (Parma, 4.45pm). Sun 16 Apr - France v Scotland (Vannes, 3.15pm)
Round 4: Sat 22 Apr - Ireland v England (Cork, 2.15pm), Scotland v Italy (Edinburgh, 4.45pm). Sun 23 Apr - France v Wales (Grenoble, 3.15pm)
Round 5: Sat 29 Apr - England v France (Twickenham, 1pm), Italy v Wales (Parma, 3.30pm), Scotland v Ireland (Edinburgh, 7.30pm).