Red Roses Seek to Make History with Grand Slam After World Cup Victory

Marlie Packer recalls a time when only a handful of fans, accompanied by a few dogs, would watch England play rugby. Now, as the longest-serving member of the Red Roses, she has experienced the thrill of 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 electric atmosphere. 'It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen in rugby,' she said. The tournament had traveled across the country, gathering supporters at each stop before delivering them to the home of English rugby in record numbers. England now opens their Women's Six Nations campaign as reigning world champions, with the Red Roses chasing more history. No team has ever followed a World Cup title with a Six Nations Grand Slam, but this group is determined to be the first. The team's success can be attributed to a deliberate and careful rebuild, not just tactically but culturally, under head coach John Mitchell. Mitchell identified a gap in the team's culture and set out to change it, promoting a sense of camaraderie and individuality among the players. 'It wasn't just the on-pitch stuff,' Packer explained. 'It was the off-pitch stuff that he needed to change, and he came in and transformed our culture straight away.' The team is now led by captain Megan Jones, who believes the group actively resists complacency and seeks to continuously improve. 'We want to break things to see if we can withstand it, and kind of mold it into our own,' she said. The Red Roses have a new crop of young players, including Christiana Balogun, Millie David, Haineala Lutui, Annabel Meta, Sarah Parry, Demelza Short, and Jodie Verghese, who are uncapped at senior international level. Flanker Sadia Kabeya believes Mitchell has created an ideal environment for the youngsters to thrive. 'It gives you a space where you can be comfortable, but also push yourself outside those comfort zones,' she said. The team's success has also inspired a new generation of fans, with Packer noticing a shift in attendance and interest, particularly among young boys and girls. 'I want to be there for any girl, boy, at any age,' she said. '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.' Kabeya is equally clear about the impact of the team's success 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.' Despite their professionalism, the team is still full of personality, and captain Jones hopes people see the individuality and camaraderie within the squad. 'I always thought being professional, you had to be this straight-laced person and take yourself very seriously – when actually it's quite the complete opposite,' she said. The Six Nations opener on Saturday brings another record crowd and another chance to set records. 'I'm super excited to get back on the pitch, get back to being with the girls, and obviously another record-breaking crowd,' said Kabeya. Packer, a veteran of 112 caps, has more context than most and is clear about what is needed heading into the Six Nations. 'We can't just rely on the fact that we're world champions and we got everything right in the World Cup,' she said. '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.'