ARLIE 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 England captain was always there. It’s been a whirlwind and one I feel very privileged about. It might all change with the new coach coming in, players coming back from injury or pregnancy. You don’t know what the new coaches will be thinking. But the feedback I’ve had has been really positive.”
Initially appointed co-captain for the tournament, Packer was one of a few individuals given advanced notice of Sarah Hunter’s abdication, sworn to secrecy before the official proclamation. Though the retirement of England’s leading lady for the best part of a decade had been broadly anticipated, some felt she might continue on until the end of the tournament, shepherding this England squad to the end of an era with coach Simon Middleton also stepping away.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2023 من Rugby World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2023 من Rugby World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
RUGBY RANT
Writer Sam Larner rails against rugby's scheduling of fixtures
"The list of highlights is endless - I wouldn't change a thing"
The Wales great who also represented the Scarlets and Lions with distinction
SIX OF THE BEST
MANOR PARK have played a blinder by Nutting out So many teams in one massive weekend
Back with a bang!
The first sell-out since Covid in the final year at the Hong Kong Stadium... we bore witness to a madcap Hong Kong Sevens
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
A globetrotting, jet-heeled, kick-blocking, defender bamboozling star. Keeping up with Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe will make you dizzy
MY DAY OFF..ADAM RADWAN
THERE IS a symmetry to Adam Radwan’s favourite hobby. A player renowned for his remarkable athleticism, leaping like a salmon to score by the corner flag, likes nothing better than spending a day fly fishing on the River Tyne.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
LORENZO PANI had it all planned out. If he managed to score a try in Cardiff, he would reach for the trademark ‘Siuuu!’ celebration of his footballing idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
WHAT'S UP WITH ULSTER
Mid-Season changes to leadership, poor form on the pitch and a lot of confused looks from fans Tom English digs into troubled times at the Irish province
ROSSLYN PARK SEVENS
With blockbuster numbers, high skill and a fired-up crowd of players, former pupils and parents, this traditional event is as strong as ever
TOP 12 FINISHERS
It's try-time as we run down a list of our favourite scorers across the global game down the years