Red Roses Seek to Create History with Grand Slam Victory

Marlie Packer recalls a time when only a handful of fans and a few dogs attended England's rugby matches. Now, as the longest-serving member of the Red Roses, she has experienced playing in front of a crowd of 81,000. Last autumn, the Allianz Stadium at Twickenham was sold out for the World Cup final, and Packer was awestruck by the sheer number of spectators. 'It was the most incredible thing I've ever witnessed in rugby,' she said. The tournament had traveled across the country, gaining supporters at every stop before delivering a record-breaking crowd to the home of English rugby. England's women's team is now set to open their Six Nations campaign as reigning world champions, with their sights set on making history by becoming the first team to win a Grand Slam after a World Cup title. The team's head coach, John Mitchell, deliberately rebuilt the team's culture when he arrived four years ago, focusing on creating a strong off-pitch dynamic. 'It wasn't just about the on-pitch performance,' Packer explained. 'It was about changing the team's culture and creating an environment where players could be themselves and enjoy each other's company.' The team's captain, Megan Jones, believes that the group actively resists complacency and is always looking to improve and push boundaries. 'We don't just want to maintain our current level of performance,' she said. 'We want to break the mold and see how far we can go.' The team is now preparing to face a new challenge in the Six Nations, with a record crowd expected to attend their opening match. Packer, a veteran of 112 caps, is clear about what the team needs to do to succeed. 'We can't just rely on our past achievements,' she said. 'We need to keep evolving and putting our best foot forward if we want to stay ahead of the game.'