Sports09 May, 20262 min read
England Rout Italy 61-33 as Marlie Packer Scores Four Tries Ahead of France Clash
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England beat Italy 61-33; Packer scored four tries. England stay on track for Grand Slam; face France in Bordeaux decider.
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Red Roses crush Italy
England’s Red Roses beat Italy 61-33 in the Women’s Six Nations Round 4 at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma on Saturday, with Marlie Packer scoring four tries as the visitors stayed on course for another Grand Slam. The match swung early as John Mitchell’s charges were 26-0 up after just 14 minutes, and Packer’s first try came after she latched on to a kick through. Packer then added three more scores, and England’s further tries were also credited to Amy Cokayne, Helena Rowland, Mia Venner and Abi Burton.
Sky Sports said Zoe Harrison kicked eight conversions from nine, while TNT Sports described England’s 61-33 win as a major boost to chances of landing a fifth consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam. With the result, England set up a winner-takes-all clash against France in Bordeaux next weekend, after France beat Scotland 69-28 at Hive Stadium.
Packer’s message
After the 61-33 win in Parma, Packer told BBC Sport, "My secret weapon is that I am enjoying it and I have a smile back on my face," as she described taking her opportunity and getting minutes. BBC Sport also quoted Mitchell saying, "Marlie doesn't go away, does she?" when asked about the 115-cap flanker who led England to back-to-back Grand Slams in 2024. The BBC framed Packer’s return to prominence around her contract until June 2026 and her feeling that she was "fitter than ever" after being leapfrogged by Sadia Kabeya.
The BBC added that Packer registered 12 tackles against Italy and made 92 metres from 14 carries, while England captain Megan Jones praised her "never-say-die attitude" and said she goes 100% even when walking. As England head to the Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux for the decider, BBC Sport noted the Red Roses have won all four meetings against France, with last year’s Grand Slam decider at Allianz Stadium decided by a point.
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Grand Slam decider stakes
TNT Sports reported that the 2026 Six Nations comes to a head on Sunday, May 17, with both England and France locked on 20 points heading into the decisive clash at the Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole. TNT Sports also said England currently sit top of the table on account of their stronger points difference, with the Red Roses boasting a 164 positive points difference compared to France's 124. France’s path to the decider was set by a 69-28 win over Scotland at Hive Stadium, and TNT Sports said France scored eight tries with Manae Feleu starting the scoring.
In the same weekend’s Six Nations finale context, Eurosport described France’s women being beaten 38-33 by England at Twickenham on Saturday, with the first period ending 33-0 for the Red Roses. Eurosport added that the Twickenham crowd included 58 498 spectators, a record world for rugby féminin, and said England won the Tournoi for the fifth time in a row while securing a 12e Grand Chelem de leur histoire.