- The Red Roses started their bumper season with a win over France.
- Marlie Packer and Jess Breach each had two tries in the 38-19 win.
- The Red Roses are now looking forward to an exciting match against New Zealand.
Marley Packer says England are ready for a ‘huge game’ against New Zealand on Saturday after the Red Roses made a crucial start to their season with a win over France.
The Packers will be hoping to lift the Women’s World Cup on home soil this time next year, with John Mitchell’s team a firm favourite to win the tournament.
England were – perhaps understandably – far from their best at Kingsholm in their first game of the 2024/25 season, but it was enough to secure a 14th straight win against Les Bleus.
England’s next opponents are the Black Ferns at the Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham).
“It’s the world champions against the number one team in the world. You can’t get a better game than this,” said Packer, who scored two of England’s six tries.
The Red Roses got their season off to a great start with a comfortable 38-19 win over France.
Jess Breach contributed two of the Red Roses’ six tries against France.
‘It’s going to be an incredible meet and greet. If people don’t have tickets, they should get them right now, because it’s going to be a physical meet and greet.
‘Both sets of packs will come alive and be electric. You can’t miss them.’
Packer’s two goals put her fourth on the England women’s all-time scoring list.
“We wanted a really tough pre-season game to see where we are,” Packer said. “We’re really going to target the New Zealand game.”
England are the dominant force in women’s rugby. They haven’t lost a World Cup since the last one, against New Zealand in Auckland in 2022.
Their impressive strength in depth was underscored by the fact that Gloucester lock Abbie Ward was in the stands with her family. England’s handling will need to improve for New Zealand.
But Jess Breech, like Packer, also crossed twice. Helena Rowland and Lucy Packer completed the scoring. France had three tries despite never looking like they would win.
England strikers Hana Botterman, Joey Oldcroft and Maddie Founaty were notable, the latter making her first Test appearance.
Holly Aitchison scored four conversions in a win where England were not at their best.
The Reds know they have to be better when they take on New Zealand at Twickenham.
Center Tatiana Hurd also threw two loose passes, but her carries were impressive.
“I always thought it was going to be a bit of a mess, and it was,” said coach Mitchell.
England had concerns about Ellie Kildon’s electric strike.
England 38-19 France
England try: M Packer (2), Breech (2), Roland, L Packer
disadvantage: Aitchison (4)
France tries: Sochat, R Menager, Bourdon Sansous
disadvantage: Still (2)
judgment: Cat Rossi (USA)
attendance: 7,590
Player of the match: Tatiana Heard (England)
