PACKER SCORES AS ENGLAND DOMINATE WALES

Marlie Packer made a try-scoring return from injury as England Women saw off Wales 12-51 at Cardiff Arms Park.

The flanker injured her right arm in the clash against France three weeks ago and at the time thought she would miss the rest of the series, but she recovered and was instrumental in the Red Roses’ third successive win of the 2019 Six Nations.

Poppy Cleall, Zoe Harrison and Sarah McKenna were also named in England’s starting XV and Hannah Botterman was among the replacements, but Packer was the only Sarries Woman on the scoresheet.

England were already 0-12 up when Packer touched over from a driving maul in the 16^thminute, and from that point they never looked troubled, leading 5-29 at half-time before an equally strong second-half performance.

“It was a fantastic performance from the girls – we went out there, we had a game plan and we executed it," said Packer. “We’re building and taking it into the next game which is Italy but there are a lot of work ons after this fantastic win, but nine tries is a great team performance.

"We’ve got such a great squad atmosphere at the moment, it’s not forwards and backs - we’re as one. That is the philosophy we’ve got going on at the moment."

England have now won four games in a row against Wales in the Six Nations and move back top of the table on 15 points, three ahead of unbeaten Italy who they play in round four at Sandy Park, Exeter on 9 March (kick-off 12.05pm).

The final fixture is against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday 16 March (kick-off 7.30pm).