Red Roses Seek Historic Grand Slam After World Cup Glory

Marlie Packer recalls a time when England rugby matches drew minimal crowds, but now the team's longest-serving player has experienced the electric atmosphere of a sold-out stadium. Last autumn, the Allianz Stadium at Twickenham was packed with 81,000 fans for the World Cup final, leaving Packer in awe. The tournament's success was not limited to one location, as it traveled across the country, gaining supporters at each stop and setting a record for attendance. Packer reflected on the team's strategy, saying, "We didn't just play in one spot and have fans travel to us. We went all over the country, and fans came to the games, and then they wanted to get tickets for the final." As the reigning world champions, England is set to begin their Women's Six Nations campaign, with the goal of making history by becoming the first team to follow a World Cup title with a Six Nations Grand Slam. The team's head coach, John Mitchell, has been instrumental in rebuilding the team's culture over the past four years. Mitchell identified the need for change off the pitch, focusing on creating a positive team environment. Packer explained, "It wasn't just the on-pitch stuff. It was the off-pitch stuff that he needed to change, and he came in and transformed our culture straight away. He wanted to elevate us, to be ourselves, and enjoy each other's company." The team's new captain, Megan Jones, believes that the group is not afraid to challenge themselves and try new things. "You hear the phrase - if it's not broken, don't fix it," she said. "We're probably looking from a different angle. We want to break it to see if we can withstand it, and kind of mold it into our own, so we're not afraid to break things to try and keep raising the game and raising the bar." The team's approach has created an ideal environment for young players to develop. Flanker Sadia Kabeya praised Mitchell's approach, saying, "It gives you a space where you can be comfortable, but also push yourself outside those comfort zones. It just allows you to be yourself, and you know you don't have to be someone else." Packer has noticed a shift in the team's impact since the World Cup, with boys and girls showing up to club appearances and asking for autographs. She emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation, saying, "I want to be there for any girl, boy, at any age. Whether you're a man or a woman, if you want to go down to your local club, go pick up a ball and have fun, because actually what rugby has given me isn't just about what's on the pitch, it's about the friendships I've made." Kabeya shared a similar sentiment, highlighting the team's ability to inspire beyond the sport itself. "It's not just about inspiring women, inspiring young girls," she said. "Inspiring young boys and men, and allowing them to come into our world – because for the longest time it's just been women understanding women's rugby, and now we're growing that picture and growing that fanbase." As the team prepares for the Six Nations opener, they are focused on continuing their success and setting new records. Packer emphasized the need for the team to keep evolving, saying, "We can't just rely on the fact that we're world champions and we got everything right in the World Cup. Because, actually, that's when that would be your Achilles heel. We need to make sure we keep evolving and putting our best foot forward."