The Red Roses have kicked off their 2024/25 season in style, as they recorded an impressive 39-18 win over France this past Saturday at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium. England were dominant in the six try demolition of their European rivals, and extended their run of victories against Les Bleus to a staggering 14 consecutive Test match triumphs.
England now have a week to prepare for the incoming Test of the Black Ferns, with New Zealand set to descend on Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium this Saturday (14:30 KO). This exhibition against the reigning world champions will be a standard bearing battle, as England look to showcase their strengths as the world’s number one ranked women’s side, before heading across the Atlantic for WXV1 in Canada at the end of the month.
England head coach John Mitchell was flanked by his captain Marlie Packer, with the two speaking to the media after the win over France. There was plenty to address following the win against their Six Nations counterparts, and in the run-up to a hotly anticipated clash with the Black Ferns. Addressing everything from Maddie Feaunati’s first England start, to Packer’s try-scoring milestone, here are the top five talking points from the post-match press conference.
1. “She looked like a starter” – Maddie Feauntai shines in her first Red Roses start
One of the Red Roses’ top performers against France was back row Maddie Feaunati, who stepped up for her first Test match start. Feaunati was promoted to John Mitchell’s starting XV following the unfortunate injury to blindside flanker Saida Kabeya, with the Exeter hard-hitter an impressive stand in for the number six shirt.
Feaunati battled valiantly around the park in a stand-out effort, and even provided the assist for Jess Breach’s first half try. Mitchell gave his thoughts on the Chiefs flanker’s performance, with Marlie Packer expressing her delight in lining up alongside the now six-capped England star.
JOHN MITCHELL: Yeah, no, she didn’t look out of place. Maddie certainly demonstrated today that she looked like a starter. She’s been with us six, seven months and has properly immersed herself in the group. It’s (the performance against France) probably an example of her belonging, after being here for six or seven months with us.
“She knows what we do, so it’s a lot easier for her. She demonstrated outstanding edge work today, there was, a number of outstanding forward performances. Botts (Hannah Botterman), was big, Zoe Aldcroft was always there, and Morwenna Talling, her numbers and outputs were huge.”
MARLIE PACKER: “She was explosive. She was powerful. We’ve really grown a bond over pre-season, and with that, I really wanted to see her to go well today. Tat (Taynana Heard) was the deserved ‘Player of the Match’, but Maddie was definitely up there with that. She’s a really exciting player, and that’s why Sunter (Sarah Hunter) and Mitch (John Mitchell) brought her into the squad. I think we’re only going to see more from her.”
2. “World Champions vs World Number One” – Black Ferns v England this Saturday
There is bountiful anticipation for the upcoming Red Roses fixture, as England host New Zealand for a seismic clash in Twickenham this Saturday. The home of English rugby welcomes the reigning Women’s Rugby World Cup holders, with the marker being set for the Red Roses, with less than a year to go before next year’s home-hosted Word Cup. Packer is chomping at the bit with excitement, and called this weekend’s match an “one hell of an encounter”.
MARLIE PACKER: “You’ve got World Champions versus world Number One. It’s going to be one hell of an encounter. And I think the girls, we’ve had a long pre-season, but one that we’ve really stepped up in. I think it’s shown out there on the pitch today, and then taking that into next week.
“If you’d asked me this morning, if put 38 points on a really good French team, I’d be super happy. It gives us the energy to go into this week. We get a night off tonight, and then we’re back in on Monday and really, really going for this New Zealand game next week.”