England host Italy at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on Sunday April 2 in Round 2 of the Women’s 6 Countries; Scotland are in action next Saturday for the 2nd round of the champion, hosting Wales at the Dam Health Arena in Edinburgh
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Marlie Packer insists she will continue the tradition set out by her veteran England team-mate Sarah Hunter
Marlie Packer has actually assured to continue Sarah Hunter’s England tradition following her retirement.
Hunter played the last match of her profession on Saturday in England’s dominant 58-7 win over Scotland in the Women’s 6 Countries and left the pitch after 58 minutes to an excellent ovation from her team-mates, coaches and household in the stands.
She retires with 141 caps to her name, having actually made her 6 Countries launching back in 2007, and leaves the sport at the age of 37 after a highly-decorated, 16-year profession.
After Hunter left the field, Packer took control of the function of sole captaincy, scoring a hat-trick of shots from England’s well-known rolling whip in a player-of-the-match efficiency, and, following the video game, she insisted her focus is now on continuing the tradition set out by her now previous team-mate.
” It’s an entire brand-new group of women in this team, we came together 3 weeks back, and we took things back to fundamentals,” Packer stated.
” And what we spoke about in these 3 weeks, we put that efficiency in on the pitch.
” Huge shout out to Sarah Hunter, 141 caps, she came out and put in a hell of an efficiency.
” However for me, I’m incredibly happy with what they have actually accomplished. We have a day of rest on Monday and after that we’ll construct once again, we’ll return into camp and we go once again.
Hunter was held up by her team-mates following her last psychological video game
” It’s an actually amazing time, it’s an interesting time for females’s sport, however for females’s rugby particularly.
” I’m truly fortunate and happy to be a part of it and the tradition that Sarah Hunter has actually left, everybody wish to keep choosing what she’s done.”
Not just did Packer have appreciation for the effect Hunter has actually had on the sport of rugby union as an entire, however likewise on her own global profession, which she has actually belonged of throughout.
Packer scored a quickfire hat-trick of shots versus Scotland from England’s rolling whip
” I’m going to miss her enormously,” she included.
” She’s remained in my entire rugby journey with England and she’s not simply a remarkable rugby gamer, however a remarkable human.
” She put everybody else initially prior to herself. This increased that she uses, credit to her, she puts that initially all the time.”
England’s competition continues as they host Italy at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on Sunday April 2 (3pm kick-off), in Round 2 of the Women’s 6 Countries.