Captain Marlie Packer set to become only the seventh woman to play 100 Tests for England when she features in Six Nations clash against Italy as she reflects on how the game has grown and aims for 2025 World Cup glory at Twickenham

Marlie Packer will become only the seventh woman to play 100 Tests for England on Sunday.

Her journey so far – through a debut in Amsterdam, balancing her playing career with her day job as a plumber and welcoming her son Oliver into the world – has been remarkable.

But the Red Roses captain is far from finished as she aims to lead her team to another Six Nations title. Packer is the central figure as John Mitchell’s side focus on their own ‘Everest’ – the challenge of winning their home World Cup in front of a sold-out Twickenham in 2025.

“I can definitely say that we will sell out Twickenham from now until the World Cup final. We will raise the bar again in women’s rugby,” Packer told The Mail on Sunday.

‘As a group we talk about our Everest and the summit we are trying to reach. That is the World Cup final with a sold-out Twickenham. It’s something we all strive for.

Packer is the heartbeat of an England side aiming for glory at the 2025 World Cup

‘We now have a good product and an audience for women’s rugby. We had 58,000 at Twickenham during the last Six Nations. It was probably the proudest moment of my life when I was captain against France that day with my son as the mascot. It shows how the game has grown.”

England are the dominant force in women’s rugby. They have won the last five Six Nations. Their 30-match winning run came to an end at the worst possible time in 2022 when they were defeated by New Zealand in the final of the last World Cup. The Red Roses want revenge in 2025.

Packer is the heartbeat of their side. She will raise the milestone of a century of appearances for her country during Sunday’s Six Nations opener with Italy in Parma.

‘When I started I didn’t even know there was a women’s rugby team representing England. As soon as I did that, I wanted to be a part of it,” she said.

‘I just loved playing. It was a sport that allowed me to express myself and the journey from then to now has been absolutely amazing. It’s one I’m truly grateful for.

‘I collected my first senior cap in Amsterdam in 2008 against Sweden. That was very memorable. It then took three years and three months before I got my second cap. A lot has changed in my life in that time and it has meant that I probably longed for that second cap more than I longed for anything else earlier in my life.

‘I was a young 18 year old and still at university when I got my first cap. In 2012, my first Six Nations, we got a Grand Slam. I played every match and got the player award.

‘At the time, our awards ceremonies took place at Esher Rugby Club as an after-party after winning a Grand Slam against Ireland. Now we have a glitzy awards ceremony that we share with the men.

Packer stated that so much has changed for women’s rugby during her time as a player

England are the dominant force in women’s rugby. They have won the last five Six Nations

Under new head coach John Mitchell, England are aiming to become a more attacking team

‘So much has changed. That day at Esher there were a few hundred people and a few dogs. Now we play for almost 60,000 people.’

Packer had to ask for extra tickets so her family and friends could join her in Italy for what should be a day to remember. It is unlikely that Italy can live with England’s pace and strength.

In their first season under new head coach Mitchell, the Red Roses are looking to develop their game to become a more attacking side.

“Women’s sport in general is at a huge peak at the moment,” said Packer, who tasted world fame with England in 2014 and also started the 2017 and 2022 defeats to New Zealand.

‘We want to break through glass ceilings. I see it as an attempt to be a pioneer of greatness. I want to maximize this time because after the World Cup I don’t know where my career will go.

‘Before I had Oliver, I didn’t think it would change anything. He gives me perspective. It’s something I didn’t know I needed, but also something I’m truly grateful for.

“No matter how good or bad my day at rugby is, I walk through the front door and know I’m going to get a big smile from him. I joke that it’s Oliver’s world and I just live in it.

‘He makes me angry because he knows when I’m a little sore from rugby.

“He says, ‘Mommy, do you have a bad guy back?’ and I’m like, “Yes!” He likes to come to training. He always asks if he can come to mom’s work.

‘There is no better feeling than knowing that a home world championship is coming in 2025 and that we are currently number 1 in the world. We are going to prove that on our own soil.’

Packer had to ask for extra tickets so her family and friends could join her in Italy for what should be a day to remember. It is unlikely that Italy can live with England’s pace and strength