With the Rugby World Cup just over a year away, the England women’s team is ramping up preparations, beginning their journey with a high-stakes test against France at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, on Saturday. Under the leadership of captain Marlie Packer, the Red Roses are focused on maintaining their dominant form, having defeated France 13 times in a row since 2018.
This match marks the start of a challenging autumn campaign, including upcoming fixtures against New Zealand and participation in WXV1 in Canada. Coach John Mitchell is putting his team to the test to sharpen their skills and ensure they peak at the right time. The road to Twickenham 2025 has officially begun, and England is determined to build on their Six Nations success.
“Injuries are part of the sport we play,” Packer told BBC Sport, reflecting on key players like Sadia Kabeya and Megan Jones missing from the squad. However, this opens opportunities for new talent, including flanker Maddie Feaunati, who earns her first Test start, and Lilli Ives Campion, poised to make her debut off the bench.
Kingsholm holds special memories for the Red Roses, having beaten Wales 58-5 here in front of a crowd of nearly 15,000 during the 2022 Six Nations. Packer is eager to lead the team back to this iconic rugby venue, now with the World Cup countdown in full swing.
The England-France rivalry continues to be a key focus of their Six Nations preparation, and Packer respects the challenge France poses. “They’re a great squad,” she said, recognizing France’s development over the past few years.
As England eyes their World Cup home soil triumph, the journey begins with this pivotal fixture against one of their fiercest competitors. The countdown is on.
