England's Marlie Packer: 'This team is No 1 in the world – we're going to be under scrutiny'

The flanker has overcome losing the captaincy to remain a key part of the squad as the Red Roses take aim at another showpiece final

"If you asked me at the start of pre-season: 'Am I going to this World Cup?' No. I didn't think I was going," says the former England captain Marlie Packer.

Self-doubt around her selection may surprise a lot of people. A World Cup winner in 2014, the 35-year-old will compete in her fourth successive global showpiece for the Red Roses after being duly confirmed in the 32-player squad for the host nation. But Packer has been through a lot in the past 12 months. She was named world player of the year in 2023 and during the two seasons that she led England, the side won all 20 games.