Women's Six Nations: Marlie Packer to return for England against Ireland in front of big Twickenham crowd

Marlie Packer has regained the captaincy and will start England’s Women’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham. 

The Red Roses could play host to more than 50,000 people at Twickenham this weekend, in what would represent the second-highest crowd for a women’s Test in history. 

England set the world-record crowd in last year’s Six Nations win over France at Twickenham, and their burgeoning support will be in force again this weekend. 

Saracens flanker Packer took a seat on the bench for last weekend’s 46-0 win in Scotland, when Zoe Aldcroft was captain. 

England rotated their resources to build experience and squad depth for Packer to relinquish her starting berth last weekend. 

But now the 34-year-old is back at openside flanker from off, and will have the captain’s armband back as England bid to take a step closer to a sixth consecutive Six Nations title. 

“It’s amazing to have this game at Twickenham, with more than 45,000 tickets already sold,” said Packer. 

“It’s great to be back in the starting team, but last week, Mitch and I had had a conversation about the plan to have all bases covered. 

“It’s important that we prepare for any event and that was part of that process.” 

England have struggled with discipline in this tournament, having received two red cards despite convincing wins over Italy, Wales and Scotland. 

Head coach John Mitchell has insisted England will continue to play on the edge however, with their increasing ability to cope with numerical disadvantages adding a building mystique. 

“We’re always preparing for the arm wrestle that’s going to come in the game, and we want it to come, we’re ready for it,” said Mitchell. 

“We will keep playing on the edge, that’s what we want and that’s what we love. That will always test connections and we will learn from how we are stretched in those situations. 

“We’ve had a couple of examples where we’ve overcome that sort of unfairness, we expect it in the game, we plan for it and we train for it. 

“We’d like to think we’re prepared for every situation but we’re sure the game will pop up a surprise and we hope it does because that’s the only way we’ll learn about it.” 

England XV to face Ireland: E Kildunne; A Dow, M Jones, T Heard, J Breach; H Aitchison, N Hunt; H Botterman, L Atkin-Davies, M Muir; Z Aldcroft, R Galligan; S Kabeya, M Packer, A Matthews.

Replacements: C Powell, M Carson, K Clifford, M Talling, M Feaunati, L Packer, E Scarratt, S Gregson.