Marlie Packer, England’s most capped active women’s rugby player with 119 international appearances, will not travel to North America this month, staying in the UK with partner and fellow Red Rose Rosie Galligan ahead of the birth of their child.
Head coach John Mitchell named a touring squad without the Harlequins back rower as England prepares to face Canada in Toronto on 17 October and Ottawa on 24 October, followed by the United States in New Jersey on 30 October. The fixtures conclude England’s WXV Global Series commitments after home meetings with Australia, Canada and New Zealand in September.
Squad reshuffle
Saracens prop Kelsey Clifford returns from a hamstring injury to bolster the pack, while Delaney Burns, Haidee Head and Sophie McQueen miss the trip through injury. The BBC reported that England view the two Canada Tests as the culmination of a self-titled three-match series following the home draw with Canada at Sandy Park in September, which ended a long winning run for the world champions.
Packer’s absence removes experience at the breakdown and in lineout plays, areas where Canada pushed England hard in Exeter. Mitchell has depth in the back row but will rely on younger caps to absorb leadership minutes in North America.
WXV context
The WXV Global Series sends top-tier nations on cross-regional tours between September and late October. England enter as defending World Cup holders and world number one, with Canada ranked second. The doubleheader in Canada is a rematch of the World Cup 2025 final teams, giving both sides a benchmark eight weeks before Six Nations planning begins.
Kick-off times in North America translate to early Saturday mornings for UK viewers — midnight BST starts in Toronto and Ottawa — which may limit live domestic audience but helps Rugby Football Union broadcast partners in growth markets.
US fixture
The 30 October match in New Jersey is England’s first against the Eagles in this window. USA rugby is rebuilding after World Cup qualification cycles; England will treat the game as a chance to test squad depth without risking key players returning from knocks. Ticket sales in the US market matter for RFU commercial teams seeking transatlantic sponsors.
Family and sport
Packer and Galligan’s decision highlights increasing visibility for athlete parents in women’s sport, where federation policies on pregnancy and selection have improved but remain scrutinised. England Rugby has not indicated whether Packer will be considered for the Six Nations if she wishes to return post-partum; Mitchell typically rewards form in Premiership Women’s Rugby on return.
What to watch
Canada will test England’s midfield defence after September’s draw, while Clifford’s scrummaging could stabilise a pack that conceded penalties late in Exeter. For British fans, the tour is the last international rugby on terrestrial and pay schedules before men’s autumn Nations Championship fixtures in November. Packer will watch from home — but the Red Roses still travel as favourites to finish the WXV window unbeaten away.