Marlie Packer cleared for opening match of England's World Cup campaign
Packer's suspension rules her out of her country's final warm-up match, away to France on Saturday.
Hosts England begin the World Cup on Friday, August 22 against the United States in Sunderland.
An update from World Rugby following Marlie Packer's red card against Spain 👇 pic.twitter.com/0YIfRWT8SG
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) August 3, 2025
In determining the sanction, World Rugby's foul play review committee noted Packer accepted foul play occurred but she did not agree the offence warranted a red card.
Her challenge, which did not result in injury to Harlequins player Pena, was deemed to be 'reckless'. The committee decided the offence warranted a two-match ban but opted to award full 50 per cent mitigation.
England's 15-try success at Welford Road was Packer's first match as captain since being replaced in the full-time role by Zoe Aldcroft in January.
The Saracens forward, who has 111 Test caps, led the Red Roses to back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams in 2023 and 2024 and is one of head coach John Mitchell's vice-captains.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
23 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Allianz named as Official Supporter of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
Joining a dynamic and purpose-driven family of partners, Allianz will support the greatest and most compelling Women's Rugby World Cup ever-organised – a defining moment that will accelerate the growth and commercial potential of the game for years to come. As Stadium of the Women's Rugby World Cup England 2025 Final, Allianz will have naming rights of the iconic stadium, in a first of its kind partnership for World Rugby. The champions of the 16-team tournament, kicking off on 22 August across eight host cities in England, will be crowned at Allianz Stadium, where they will lift the newly unveiled Women's Rugby World Cup trophy, marking a new chapter in the tournament's history A longstanding champion of the game, Allianz's connection with rugby spans from elite to grassroots. Its wide-ranging partnership with England Rugby includes support for the men's and women's national teams and investment in youth pathways via the Allianz Future Fund. Allianz also previously held naming rights to Premiership Women's Rugby and a partnership with the Red Roses, further reinforcing its commitment to supporting the women's part of the tournament's wider purpose-led activation strategy, 'The Road to Allianz Stadium', is a partnership with global fan engagement platform Stepathlon. Designed to unite and inspire fans to get active in the build-up to the tournament, participants will be challenged to complete a virtual course from Sunderland's Stadium of Light – host of the opening match – to Allianz Stadium, the home of the final. With unprecedented interest in Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, the final at Allianz Stadium is on course to become the most attended women's rugby match in history, set to surpass the record-breaking crowd of 66,000 at Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey said: 'Allianz's commitment to rugby and to using sport as a force for positive societal change makes them an ideal partner for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. We're delighted to welcome them on this journey as we work towards delivering the biggest and most impactful women's rugby event in history, set to conclude in spectacular fashion with a record-breaking final at Allianz Stadium on 27 September.' Colm Holmes, CEO, Allianz UK commented: 'I'm thrilled to be announcing this sponsorship which is not only hugely exciting but also feels like a natural extension of our existing partnerships. We know and understand the power of sport to inspire and unite so to be part of this journey for Women's Rugby is very special. Ticket sales have already exceeded that of the Rugby World Cup In 2021 and I know it's going to be a terrific tournament for existing fans and new fans alike.' Ticket sales for RWC England 2025 have already reached groundbreaking levels, with over 330,000 tickets sold as of July 2025 – more than double the total attendance for Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand (150,000). Remaining tickets are still on sale at
South Wales Argus
23 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Allianz UK Official Supporter of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
The sponsorship highlights Allianz's continued commitment to supporting the women's game and is also marks a special sporting moment as the first international stadium naming rights agreement in the history of the Rugby World Cup. The World Cup, which begins on 22 August, will move across seven host cities in England before the champions of the 16-team tournament are crowned at Allianz Stadium. The winners will lift the newly unveiled Women's Rugby World Cup trophy, marking a new chapter in the tournament's history. With unprecedented interest in Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, the final at Allianz Stadium is on course to become the most attended women's rugby match in history, set to surpass the record-breaking crowd of 66,000 at Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Allianz has a longstanding connection with rugby, spanning from elite to grassroots levels. In 2024, the iconic home of England Rugby was renamed Allianz Stadium, following the evolution of a wide-ranging partnership with England Rugby. This partnership includes support for the men's and women's national teams and investment in youth pathways. Allianz also supports grassroots rugby clubs across the UK via the Allianz Future Fund. Aligning with Allianz's strong focus and commitment to invest in fans and grassroots communities, as part of the tournament's wider purpose-led activation strategy, 'The Road to Allianz Stadium', is a partnership with global fan engagement platform Stepathlon. Designed to unite and inspire fans to get active in the build-up to the tournament, participants will be challenged to walk the equivalent distance from Sunderland's Stadium of Light – host of the opening match – to Allianz Stadium, the home of the final. Colm Holmes, CEO, Allianz UK commented: 'I'm thrilled that Allianz UK has been named as an official supporter of the Women's Rugby World Cup, and that the final will be played at Allianz Stadium. This is hugely exciting and also feels like a natural extension of our existing partnerships. We know and understand the power of sport to inspire and unite, so to be part of this journey for the Women's Rugby World Cup is very special. Ticket sales have already exceeded that of the Rugby World Cup in 2021, and I know it is going to be a terrific tournament for existing and new fans alike.' Sarah Massey, Managing Director of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, commented: 'Allianz's commitment to rugby and to using sport as a force for positive societal change makes them an ideal partner for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. We're delighted to welcome them on this journey as we work towards delivering the biggest and most impactful women's rugby event in history, set to conclude in spectacular fashion with a record-breaking final at Allianz Stadium on 27 September.'
Leader Live
23 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Allianz UK Official Supporter of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
The sponsorship highlights Allianz's continued commitment to supporting the women's game and is also marks a special sporting moment as the first international stadium naming rights agreement in the history of the Rugby World Cup. The World Cup, which begins on 22 August, will move across seven host cities in England before the champions of the 16-team tournament are crowned at Allianz Stadium. The winners will lift the newly unveiled Women's Rugby World Cup trophy, marking a new chapter in the tournament's history. With unprecedented interest in Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, the final at Allianz Stadium is on course to become the most attended women's rugby match in history, set to surpass the record-breaking crowd of 66,000 at Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Allianz has a longstanding connection with rugby, spanning from elite to grassroots levels. In 2024, the iconic home of England Rugby was renamed Allianz Stadium, following the evolution of a wide-ranging partnership with England Rugby. This partnership includes support for the men's and women's national teams and investment in youth pathways. Allianz also supports grassroots rugby clubs across the UK via the Allianz Future Fund. Aligning with Allianz's strong focus and commitment to invest in fans and grassroots communities, as part of the tournament's wider purpose-led activation strategy, 'The Road to Allianz Stadium', is a partnership with global fan engagement platform Stepathlon. Designed to unite and inspire fans to get active in the build-up to the tournament, participants will be challenged to walk the equivalent distance from Sunderland's Stadium of Light – host of the opening match – to Allianz Stadium, the home of the final. Colm Holmes, CEO, Allianz UK commented: 'I'm thrilled that Allianz UK has been named as an official supporter of the Women's Rugby World Cup, and that the final will be played at Allianz Stadium. This is hugely exciting and also feels like a natural extension of our existing partnerships. We know and understand the power of sport to inspire and unite, so to be part of this journey for the Women's Rugby World Cup is very special. Ticket sales have already exceeded that of the Rugby World Cup in 2021, and I know it is going to be a terrific tournament for existing and new fans alike.' Sarah Massey, Managing Director of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, commented: 'Allianz's commitment to rugby and to using sport as a force for positive societal change makes them an ideal partner for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. We're delighted to welcome them on this journey as we work towards delivering the biggest and most impactful women's rugby event in history, set to conclude in spectacular fashion with a record-breaking final at Allianz Stadium on 27 September.'
