by Marlie Packer will win her 100th cap after being named England captain for the Red Roses Women’s Six Nations opener against Italy.
The Openside Packer boss will be England’s number seven in Parma on Sunday after being named to start alongside Sadia Kabeya and Sarah Beckett in the back row.
Lock Abbie Ward, center Emily Scarratt and midfielder Zoe Harrison are set to start and make their first appearance at international level since the November 2022 World Cup final, while Maddie Feaunati is set for her first game from the bench.
Kelsey Clifford gets coach John Mitchell’s first start at tight end in the absence of the injured Sarah Bern, while hooker Amy Cokanye misses out with a hamstring issue but is making good progress towards recovery.
“We’re excited to get going in a great competition,” said Mitchell, who is in charge of his first full campaign as Red Roses coach.
“We are focused on improving our performance. We want to be faster in our game, we want to put more pressure on the opposition, and we want to present attacking opportunities. Italy is our first opportunity to implement what we want to achieve.
Mitchell added of Packer’s milestone: “To get 100 caps for your country is a fantastic achievement. From the moment I first met her, it was clear that her determination to rise has been ingrained in her over the past 16 years, helping her to achieve what she has in the game. She epitomizes what it means to be a Red Rose.”
Packer follows Sarah Hunter, Rocky Clark, Katy Daley-McLean, Tamara Taylor, Scarratt and Amy Garnett in bringing her country a century of appearances.
Saracens made their senior debut in England in 2008, with around 100 people watching a 15-a-side international against Sweden played at the same time as a sevens tournament in Amsterdam.
After a spell on the sidelines, Packer returned to the squad in 2011 and hit her first Six Nations grand slam in 2012, being voted player of the year by her peers.
She was named as Hunter’s successor as skipper following the retirement of the number eight in last year’s championship and has retained the role under new coach Mitchell.
Packer’s son Oliver will not be in Italy but will be at Ashton Gate next week when England take on Wales, and has spent time in camp this week as his mother prepares to make a significant appearance do.
“I’m very honored,” Packer said. “It’s always a privilege to wear the shirt and lead the Red Roses, but to do it on my 100th cap is the icing on the cake.
“I think I’ve grown a lot [since 2008] – I’m a little smarter on the field and off. Back then, I used to chase every breakdown and go for every jackal. I learned to pick my moments and timing.
“Timing is of the essence in everything you do. Away from rugby, having [my son] Oliver has given me a different perspective and purpose in life outside of rugby.
“This week I’ve just been focusing on Parma and making sure the squad is in the best place to put in a performance. A lot of people are talking about my 100th cap, but it’s just another game for me. I just want to play and then I’ll think after the Six Nations.”
While Scarratt, who takes on a new role at inside centre, and Harrison return from lengthy neck and knee injury layoffs respectively, Ward returns after giving birth to daughter Hallie last July.
She is partnered in the second row by Zoe Aldcroft, who has shown the qualities of a Bristol lock.
“I think it shows her commitment,” Aldcroft said. “She’s one of the most determined people I’ve ever met and it’s a credit to her how hard she’s worked to come back from having a baby and being a tracker.
“It’s great to have her back. As second layers, it’s important to have that connection and a lot of the time we’re on the same wavelength. She is an out and out leader and I am really looking forward to being back on the field with her.”
Mitchell is understood to have informed several members of his squad of his plans for selection in the first few weeks of the championship, with those not included in his first matchday 23 expected to be given opportunities.
England have won the last five trees.
Red Roses squad to face Italy in Parma (3pm GMT, Sunday 24 March)
15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 38 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 40 caps)
13 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
12 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 108 caps)
11 Offensive Jess (Saracens, 33 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 46 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 16 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
3 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 3 caps)
4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 48 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
6 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 13 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 99 caps)
8 Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 34 caps)
Replacements:
16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 14 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 25 caps)
19 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
20 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 62 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 25 caps)
23 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
