England Rugby Captain Marlie Packer Promotes Inclusivity Ahead of Women’s Six Nations –
Embracing Diversity in Rugby
England’s rugby union captain, Marlie Packer, has lauded the sport’s inclusivity, encouraging people from all walks of life to get involved. In an exclusive interview with PinkNews at the Frameless exhibition in London, Packer emphasized that “rugby is inclusive for all,” embracing diversity in terms of sexuality, size, and skin color.
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Acceptance and Encouragement
As the world player of the year in 2022, Packer affirmed that she has never faced issues over her sexuality within the game. “Queer women in the sport are accepted,” she asserted, urging those who might perceive rugby as exclusive to give it a chance. Packer highlighted the community aspect, stating, “It’s about the friendships you build, I’ve built many friendships over the years, but also it’s given me the opportunity to see the world, which I would never have been able to do.”
Defending Champions Eye Sixth Consecutive Title
England, the defending champions, are aiming for their sixth successive Women’s Six Nations title. Last year, they secured a Grand Slam by defeating France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Their campaign commences on Sunday against Italy in Parma, marking Packer’s 100th international appearance.
“We’re excited to get this tournament kicked off [on Sunday], but we need to make sure that we focus on just that game, make sure we perform there, then it’s on to the next one,” Packer said.
Record-Breaking Crowds and Growing Fan Base
Packer expressed optimism about the growth of women’s rugby, fueled by the massive crowds witnessed last year. The team’s final match against France at Twickenham in April 2023 set a record-breaking crowd of 58,498 fans, surpassing the previous record of 42,579 at the 2021 World Cup final in Auckland, New Zealand.
“As a player, that is what I want to be running out in front of. My goal is to help England, the Red Roses, achieve selling out Twickenham,” Packer stated. “Everyone wants to beat world records, and I think you’ll see that this Six Nations.”
Sustained Excellence and Fan Engagement
Packer emphasized the importance of consistent performance and fan engagement. “The fan base is growing and growing. We, as players, just need to make sure we keep putting the product on the field, putting in the performances, backing them up week-in, week-out, and growing each time.”
