England remain hopeful captain Marlie Packer will be fit for Saturday’s Six Nations Grand Slam clash with France after suffering an ankle injury in the recent victory over Ireland
- England captain Marlie Packer faces further recovery to determine her fitness
- Packer was recently injured in England’s Six Nations victory against Ireland
- But is recovering from her ankle injury prior to the clash with France
England are hopeful that Marlie Packer will be fit for Saturday’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider with France, with the Red Roses captain recovering from an ankle injury. Packer was knocked out during England’s hammering of Ireland, leaving her fitness for this weekend’s match at Twickenham in doubt.
Prop Hannah Botterman also suffered a knee problem against Ireland in Cork and on Monday, England confirmed that both she and Packer are being watched.
Neither player has so far been banned from taking part in France in a match that will be watched by a world record crowd for a women’s international. More than 50,000 tickets have already been sold.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the current 11 Gallagher Premiership teams will play Championship teams in a revamped Premiership Rugby Cup next season.
The 24 teams in the top two tiers are split into four groups of six. It will be the first time in 18 years of English rugby that top division teams will face sides lower down the pyramid in a knockout competition.
England are hopeful that their captain Marlie Packer will be fit for Sunday’s Grand Slam match against France
Packer suffered an ankle injury in England’s recent victory over Ireland in the Six Nations