Marlie Packer cleared for England's World Cup opener

England flanker Marlie Packer will be eligible to play in the team’s opening match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, despite receiving a red card during a recent warm-up match against Spain.

Packer was handed a one-match suspension following the incident but will serve the ban before the tournament begins.

The incident occurred during England’s 97-7 victory over Spain in Leicester, where Packer, acting as stand-in captain, was sent off for a dangerous clearout at a ruck.

Her shoulder was found to have bent the leg of Spanish fullback Claudia Pena in a way deemed reckless by the disciplinary panel.

Although Packer did not agree that the act warranted a red card, the panel maintained its position and imposed a one-game ban. As a result, she will miss England’s final pre-tournament warm-up fixture against France next Saturday.

England’s World Cup campaign begins on August 22 in Sunderland, where they will face the United States.