The Marlie Packer boast about how England will tackle France away
Marlie Packer has insisted that England are determined to turn the French crowd against their own team by outplaying their fierce rivals in Saturday’s Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux.
The Red Roses have blazed a trail through the Guinness Women’s Six Nations by averaging almost 10 tries a game, including 14 in last weekend’s rout of Ireland at Twickenham.
New head coach John Mitchell has let off the handbrake by turning a set-piece-orientated side into one emboldened to attack – an audacious approach that will remain in place even against the toughest opponents of the tournament.
Packer, a Test centurion, knows from previous visits to France that a fickle home crowd can quickly lose patience if Les Bleus are struggling, creating extra motivation to turn on the style.
“We want to keep the excitement going and we want to rise to the occasion again,” the England captain said. “Let’s make it our fortress over there.
“We know what the French crowd bring and if we play the brand of rugby that we did against Ireland, I actually think the French crowd will start cheering our way. Twickenham was an amazing day for us but that’s in the past and we need to stay in the present.”
England are on the brink of claiming a sixth successive Six Nations title, but visit a packed-out 34,462-seater Stade Chaban-Delmas knowing their last defeat in the tournament was to France in 2018.
“France is always a big game. France in France is even better. ‘Le Crunch’ is one where I have always felt really privileged if I was part of it,” said winger Abby Dow.
“I enjoy the ‘joie’ nature of the French. It’s always such a tough battle. The crowd is absolutely incredible there.
“They will be gunning against you but if you manage to crack the crowd they will start gunning against their team. It’s brilliant.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Phepsi Buthelezi must surely get a crack at Wales. Masuku too.
1 Go to commentsI don't want to say there's a curse but Aussie Props are dropping like Spinal Tap Drummers this year
1 Go to commentsCorrection; Wacokecoke signed for Doncaster the other day
1 Go to commentsThis kid will be an All Black sooner rather than later. His ability to extract the most from any situation is unbelievable. Come next season he could be no. 2 behind Roigard. Another damn Crusader lol, out of Hamilton.
1 Go to commentsMngomezulu looking good at 15. I maintain, Evan Roos is much more effective at 6 than an 8. JC Pretorius is a damn good 6 too.
1 Go to commentsThe smoke and mirrors begin.
2 Go to commentsDo you know who will broadcast the match in the United States?
1 Go to commentsThe new board will now be injected with people of Razor’s ingenuity and we can modernize the All Blacks eligibility criteria!
18 Go to commentsI hope he gets to hoist the silverware in a week’s time.
1 Go to commentsIt was a great game. And the Saracens went down swinging. Love to root against them, they’re such a formidable rugby club. It’s not going to be the same without Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola, etc. That’s some big teeth they’re going to lose.
1 Go to comments🤣🤣 cry babies in the comments . I hope razor gets his boy mounga . It’ll be lovely to see all the haters swallow there words … doesn’t take a genius to know mounga will preform exceptionally well with a forward pack that actually goes forward and not back wards … watch the space .
18 Go to commentsGreat news Scott Robertson and NZR are pursuing the avenue of getting Richie Mo’unga back from Japan. They are perfectly within their rights to do so.Richie is the best around still as he showed in last weeks Japanese Final for Brave Lupus.He was amazing for the Crusaders and at last years World Cup.
18 Go to commentsgo the Mighty Blues
1 Go to commentsWhy cant he shut up and do what all his predesessors have done. Select from NZ.
18 Go to commentsTell him he is dreaming maaate
2 Go to comments> That said FRance were clearly the better team on the day, quite clearly. My man Turlough still at it😂😂 Let it go champ!😬
25 Go to commentsSaracens are made to fall within the confines of the salary cap after years of cheating and suddenly they look human rather than all conquering. That shouldn’t be a surprise. Of course, this team is still benefitting from the extensive cheating committed by Saracens year on year. But each season that benefit will dwindle (assuming, of course, they don’t cheat again… I’m not holding my breath). Maybe next year we will see Saracens truly competing on a level playing field with the rest of the league. Maybe.
1 Go to commentsDon’t do it. Stay true to what’s brought success to NZ rugby.
18 Go to commentsRachael Burford has been such a stalwart for England Rugby and one of the best centres of her generation, she is a great ambassador for women’s sport. Shaunagh Brown will continue to inspire others long during her retirement.
1 Go to commentsThe Black Ferns were lucky to beat England, any rugby enthusiast knows this,the English and,French, have the most dangerous forward packs in the world, Canada has been copying their forward rolling maul techniques,and its working for them, the Black Ferns coaching team should of copied Englands big strong forward style, we got the best backs in the world, we know that,but I can't see us getting into the top 3 at the World Cup, i’m a proud as Kiwi, but i’ve been watching the 6 Nations games,and their competition and regularity of hard games puts them ahead of the Black Ferns ,sad to say,but realistic.
11 Go to comments