Packer to Miss England's North America Tour as Red Roses Head for WXV Global Series

Marlie Packer will miss England's WXV Global Series trip to North America later this month, with the two-time World Cup winner staying at home as her partner and Red Roses team-mate Rosie Galligan is due to give birth. Packer, England's most-capped active player with 119 appearances, will sit out the Tests against Canada in Toronto on October 17 and Ottawa on October 24, plus the clash with the USA in New Jersey on October 30. She is not the only absentee: Delaney Burns, Haidee Head and Sophie McQueen have all been ruled out through injury. The Red Roses played three times in September, beating Australia and New Zealand either side of a 26-26 draw with Canada in Exeter — a result that ended the hosts' 39-match winning streak. Head coach John Mitchell said the recent Tests had been "humdingers that could have gone either way" and were hugely important to England's development toward the 2029 World Cup, adding: "Playing quality opposition and learning to adapt under pressure will help us raise our level and improve our game. The 32 players travelling to North America have a great opportunity to elevate our connections as a squad because playing away from home requires togetherness." England are expected to renew their fast-developing rivalry with Canada when the series opens in Toronto.