Watch: Marlie Packer set for Rugby World Cup opener ban after dangerous clear-out
Packer was shown a straight red card an hour into the match for a dangerous lower-limb clear-out on Spain's Claudia Pena, while England were leading 76-7.
With no bunker system at the game at Welford Road, referee Aurelie Groizeleau handed Packer a permanent red card for what she deemed was a 'crocodile roll' on the Harlequins full-back.
Packer's red card means she will face a disciplinary committee and if the red card is upheld she will likely miss England's World Cup warm-up game against France in Mont de Marsan next Saturday and at least one World Cup group game. The Red Roses' tournament opener is against the United States at the Stadium of Light on August 22. They face Samoa (Aug 30) and Australia (Sept 6) in the group stages.
Sanctions for a dangerous play at a ruck or maul range from two weeks (low end) to four weeks (mid-range) to eight-plus week (top end).
Replays of the incident show Packer clumsily entering the ruck at moderate speed and appearing not to properly wrap with her left arm around Pena, before awkwardly leaving her left leg hanging in the air as she attempted to roll away.
'I think she's got herself in a funny position – that's not a deliberate croc roll,' said Vicky Macqueen, the former Leicester Tigers women's head coach, who was co-commentating on the BBC's live stream. 'I think she's just over-balanced. I don't think that's a yellow [card].'
After a lengthy deliberation with the TMO Andrew McMenemy, Groizeleau summoned Packer to explain that she had illegally endangered Pena's left knee after not properly wrapping her left arm around her opponent.
'My view is that she's illegally targeting the leg [and] the entry is illegal. It's always an illegal action, so it's a permanent red card,' said Groizeleau.
The incident was a reminder of rugby's no-nonsense approach to 'croc rolls' – a controversial technique used to remove an opponent standing over the ball which is known to cause serious knee injuries. World Rugby outlawed the manoeuvre in July last year.
A wry smile spread across Packer's face as she was sent her marching orders by the Frenchwoman.
'Wow, I have to eat my words now,' continued Macqueen. 'I'm pretty shocked at the red. Yellow, maybe. But a red card for that? I'm not sure. For me that's a harsh, harsh red card.'
The incident marred an otherwise perfect afternoon for England and Packer, who was captaining the Red Roses for the first time since her demotion as captain to Zoe Aldcroft at the start of the year.
Packer herself had enjoyed a fine individual performance before her premature exit, having scored England's second try of her side's 97-7 demolition job against Spain, which was a record-breaking scoreline for the Red Roses.
Quick thinking from @MarliePacker 👏 #RedRoses
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) August 2, 2025
It is the second time in recent memory that a Red Roses player has been sent off for a crocodile roll. England's Sarah Beckett received a three-match ban during the 2024 Six Nations for dangerous clear-out on Italy centre Michela Sillari, who suffered a leg fracture.
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