Women’s Six Nations: Marlie Packer to earn 100th cap for England as coach John Mitchell names team for opener

England captain Marlie Packer is set make her 100th England appearance after being selected for the Red Roses' Six Nations opener against Italy on Sunday.

Head coach John Mitchell named his team on Tuesday and Packer will lead out the reigning champions at Parma’s Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

The 34-year-old is set to be the seventh woman to become an England centurion, having made her international debut in 2008.

"Talking to Marlie about her journey, she has had to overcome adversity since her Test debut in 2008," Mitchell said in a statement.

"What has been evident since I first met her is her determination to succeed has been ingrained in her over the past 16 years, helping her achieve what she has in the game. She epitomises what it is to be a Red Rose."

Mitchell has also selected fly-half Zoe Harrison, centre Emily Scarratt and lock Abbie Ward. All three have not played for England since the 2022 World Cup final defeat against New Zealand.

Scarratt has been absent with a neck injury and Harrison with an ACL injury, while Ward returned to rugby in November after giving birth to her first child in July.

Maddie Feaunati could make her England debut against Italy after being named on the bench.

"We are excited to get going in what is an awesome tournament," Mitchell added. "We are focused on improving our performance.

"We want to get quicker at our game, we want to create more pressure on the opposition, and we want to present attacking opportunities. Italy is our first opportunity to put into practice what we are aiming to achieve."

The Red Roses are seeking their sixth successive Six Nations title, and their fifth Grand Slam in a row.

England’s schedule will include a match against Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on April 20, before their tournament concludes against France on April 27.

Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jess Breach, Zoe Harrison, Lucy Packer, Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Sadia Kabeya, Marlie Packer, Sarah Beckett.

Replacements: Connie Powell, Mackenzie Carson, Maud Muir, Maddie Feaunati, Alex Matthews, Natasha Hunt, Holly Aitchison, Megan Jones.

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