Marlie Packer will not travel with England’s 32-player WXV Global Series squad for matches against Canada and the USA in North America. Sky Sports reported that the flanker will remain at home with her partner and Red Roses team-mate Rosie Galligan, who is due to give birth.
Packer, England’s most-capped active player according to Sky Sports, had featured in all three of the Red Roses’ home fixtures during September. RugbyPass reported that the 37-year-old started England’s win over New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, but she will not be part of the group travelling for the concluding overseas fixtures.
Head coach John Mitchell has named Meg Jones as captain for the tour. Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews are the vice-captains in a squad containing 18 forwards and 14 backs. England are scheduled to meet Canada in Toronto and Ottawa before facing the USA in New Jersey, Sky Sports reported.
RugbyPass reported that 24 of the selected players had appeared in England’s September fixtures against Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Packer absence comes after key September role
The decision leaves England without an experienced back-row option who played throughout their home series. Packer has made 119 appearances for her country, according to Sky Sports, while RugbyPass said 24 members of the travelling squad had appeared across the fixtures against Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Those September Tests supplied significant context for the Canada leg of the tour. England beat Australia and New Zealand, but their 26-26 draw with Canada in Exeter ended a 39-match winning sequence, Sky Sports reported. The return meetings with Canada therefore offer England an early opportunity to test their progress away from home against opponents with whom they have recently been closely matched.
Mitchell said England’s latest Tests against Canada and New Zealand had been extremely tight and important to the team’s development towards 2029. He also said facing strong opposition and learning to adjust under pressure would help the Red Roses improve their level and their game.
He described the tour as an opportunity for the selected players to strengthen their connections, adding that travelling away required togetherness. Mitchell said the squad had shown a desire to compete and improve, and that England were looking forward to continuing their rivalry with Canada in Toronto.
Jones to captain 32-player travelling party
Jones will lead a group featuring established internationals including Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt and Ellie Kildunne. The forward contingent also includes Maddie Feaunati, Sadia Kabeya, Maud Muir and Morwenna Talling, while the backs contain Tatyana Heard, Helena Rowland, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Lucy Packer.
There are also opportunities for players who have recently gained game time in the JAECOO Next Gen Cup. RugbyPass reported that Christiana Balogun, Daisy Hibbert-Jones, Haineala Lutui, Demelza Short, Heard, Emma Sing, Mia Venner and Bo Westcombe-Evans had all played in that competition in recent weeks.
Westcombe-Evans, who has two England caps, was reported by RugbyPass to have scored a hat-trick in Trailfinders Women’s 72-19 win over Harlequins last weekend. Her inclusion, alongside the other players with recent club opportunities, gives Mitchell options within a squad that RugbyPass said totals 1,168 Test caps.
England will travel without Delaney Burns, Haidee Head and Sophie McQueen, all of whom have been ruled out through injury, according to Sky Sports and RugbyPass. Their absences, coupled with Packer remaining at home for family reasons, mean the touring group will need to adapt without four players unavailable for the three-match trip.
The selection keeps a substantial core from England’s September campaign while creating scope for others to contribute on the road. With two Canada matches preceding the USA fixture, the tour gives the Red Roses a concentrated final stretch of their WXV Global Series programme, beginning with opponents who have already shown they can challenge them closely.