MARLIE PACKER takes a deep breath as she settles deeply into her chair and her new role as England captain, her mind at a whir as she considers a hectic few weeks. Life was already busy enough, balancing being one of the Red Roses’ best with parenting a tearaway toddler, but the extra responsibilities that have come since her elevation to high office means spare moments are few and far between.
“It’s been a lot more than what I expected,” the flanker admits with a chuckle as we speak in the thick of a Women’s Six Nations campaign. Leading her country is an honour that means plenty to Packer, but there is plenty to juggle. “It is a big deal and I’ve come to realise that very quickly. The amount of meetings you have to do, the commercial stuff, press conferences; there is so much more to the role than I ever thought there would be.
“I’m loving it. I’m really enjoying it. The desire to be
