Burgess wins first World Cup silver in six years
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Telegraph
27 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Watch: Marlie Packer set for Rugby World Cup opener ban after dangerous clear-out
Marlie Packer looks almost certain to miss England's Rugby World Cup opener later this month after being sent off in the Red Roses' warm-up win over Spain. 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.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Marlie Packer hands England World Cup worry during 97-7 rout of Spain
Marlie Packer's availability for the start of the World Cup is in doubt after she was sent off in England's crushing 97-7 demolition of Spain. The veteran flanker, who was captaining her country in Leicester, was dismissed 19 minutes from time for an adjudged illegal clearout on Spain full-back Claudia Pena. With the Red Roses set to play France next weekend in their final warm-up match ahead of their World Cup opener against the United States on August 22, Packer will face a disciplinary hearing to determine her fate. We take the win 🌹 #RedRoses — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) August 2, 2025 Helena Rowland scored a hat-trick at Welford Road as England's preparations for a tilt at global glory on home soil began in ruthless fashion. The versatile back, who was hailed as 'probably the most valuable person' in the Red Roses' squad by head coach John Mitchell after being named to start on the right wing, claimed two of seven first-half tries. Number eight Maddie Feaunati, scrum-half Lucy Packer, wing Jess Breach, prop Sarah Bern and centre Jade Shekells also crossed in the opening 40 minutes. Bern registered her second try early in the second period before Rowland completed her treble two minutes later and lock Lilli Ives Campion added another for Test rugby's top-ranked nation. Spain, who are ranked 13th in the world and will face Ireland in Pool C at the World Cup, claimed a fine 53rd-minute consolation through 19-year-old Harlequins player Pena, which was converted by fly-half Amalia Argudo. Full-back Emma Sing stretched England's lead before replacements May Campbell, Hannah Botterman and Abby Dow and vice-captain Megan Jones completed the scoring following the premature departure of skipper Packer.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Helena Rowland: England's 97-7 victory over Spain just the start of the journey
The rampant Red Roses ran in 15 tries in Leicester as preparations for a tilt at global glory on home soil began in ruthless fashion. A dominant display at Welford Road was marred only by a second-half red card for stand-in captain Marlie Packer following an adjudged illegal clearout on Spain's sole try scorer Claudia Pena. Clinical finishing from @HelenaRowland99 to bring up the hat-trick 🏉🏉🏉#RedRoses — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) August 2, 2025 John Mitchell's side, who were back in action for the first time since completing a Six Nations grand slam in April, play away to France next weekend before beginning their World Cup campaign against the United States on Friday, August 22 in Sunderland. 'We've got a big few months coming up,' versatile back Rowland, who was making her first Test start on the wing, told BBC Sport. 'It's all about trying to live every moment. We've definitely tried to keep evolving our game. Hopefully it will come together. This is just the start of our journey and hopefully there's more to come.' Prop Sarah Bern claimed two of England's tries, while Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Jess Breach, Jade Shekells, Lilli Ives Campion, Emma Sing, May Campbell, Hannah Botterman, Abby Dow and Megan Jones also crossed for Test rugby's top-ranked nation. 'I don't score that many tries so to get three in a game is always nice,' added Rowland. 'We put in some pretty nice stuff there, glad to get it off the training park. 'There's still plenty of things to fix up, as we knew there always would be. It's the first game after quite a long time. It was enjoyable out there and we've got to focus on next week now.'
