Marlie Packer Secures Fourth Trophy as England Prevails

Marlie Packer the England captain hoisting a trophy alongside her teammates is becoming an increasingly familiar image. Following England’s 21-12 victory over Canada in Vancouver, Packer secured her fourth trophy in 18 months. This win, marking the team’s 20th consecutive victory allowed the Red Roses to retain their WXV1 title and clinch a second straight Six Nations Grand Slam raising their record to 50 wins out of 51 games.

The only blemish on their dominance was the Rugby World Cup final loss to New Zealand in 2022 which ended their remarkable 30-match winning streak. As England prepares for next year’s World Cup on home soil, expectations for victory are high. However, the question remains: are Marlie Packer’s side better equipped to achieve this goal? Under former coach Simon Middleton, England relied heavily on their successful driving maul.

However, this strategy faltered in the final against the Black Ferns. With the arrival of former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, the team has shifted towards a more well-rounded attacking style, focusing on utilizing their best backs in space. England showcased their progress with four first-half tries against the world champions in September, although Mitchell criticized their inability to maintain pressure.

In their latest title decider against Canada, England managed two second-half tries to win despite struggling in attack. Canada posed a significant challenge, emphasizing their potential as World Cup contenders. Despite missed opportunities, Canada captain Alex Tessier remained optimistic about their growth. Meanwhile, other teams like France and Ireland are also improving, making the competition fiercer.

Mitchell acknowledged that while England leads, other teams are closing the gap emphasizing the importance of continual improvement as they prepare for a home World Cup.