Marlie Packer the star as England smash Italy in major boost to chances of landing fifth consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam before France finale
Updated 09/05/2026 at 20:28 GMT+1
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England took a major step towards winning the 2026 Six Nations by battering Italy 61-33 in Parma on Saturday afternoon with veteran forward Marlie Packer running in four tries.
'You still feel the noise' - Kildunne and Packer on impact of World Cup triumph
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Victory over Italy combined with France's resounding 69-28 win in Scotland has set up a winner-takes-all clash in Bordeaux next weekend.
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.
England currently sit top of the table on account of their stronger points difference return, the Red Roses boasting a 164 positive points difference compared to France's 124.
Victory for England would see them claim their fifth successive Grand Slam and eighth consecutive Six Nations title.
France, meanwhile, are looking to win their first Six Nations since 2018, when they also completed the Grand Slam.
Back row Packer was the star of the match for England in Parma as she managed a quartet of tries in an impressive showing.
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Marlie Packer scored four of England's nine tries against Italy
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Amy Cokayne, twice, Helena Rowland, Mia Venner and Abi Burton also got in on the act as England made light work of the Azzurre.
England had raced into a 26-0 lead after 14 minutes.
Vittoria Vecchini pulled it back to 26-5 after 17 minutes but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished three minutes later when Cokayne scored the second of her two tries and Zoe Harrison bagged a fourth conversion midway through the first half.
Italy managed a penalty try in the 25th minute to bring the score back to a respectable 33-12, only for Packer to land her second of four tries in the 32nd minute.
Alissa Ranuccini crossed the try-line and Michela Sillari converted shortly before the break, though Italy by that point were 40-19 down.
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England's Marlie Packer was named Player of the Match against Italy
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And England went through the motions in the second half to secure a 28-point win.
Victory in Italy extended England's unbeaten streak to 37 Tests as they earned a fourth bonus point of the campaign.
"It was amazing to come back here two years on from getting my 100th cap," Packer said after the comprehensive victory.
"It's about going to stadiums and making memories when you wear this shirt and today was one of those occasions again.
"I take my hat off to the pack. They were unreal today. All week we've been working hard at our set-piece. Amy Cokayne and I were lucky enough to put the ball down, but that was down to all their hard work.
"I'm just enjoying it. I've got a smile on my face and I'm getting some good minutes. The last couple of years, Sadia [Kabeya] has got the nod over me - fair play - but I've got my opportunity at the moment and I'm just enjoying it.
"There's no pressure. I'm just here to support the leadership group and be a part of the Red Roses - and to make every game an enjoyable one."
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England celebrate beating Italy
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And on next week's game against France, Packer added: "Let's just recover from this - but we'll enjoy it. We've got France in a Six Nations Grand Slam title decider.
"It's going to be a tough week, but we look forward to Bordeaux."
France made light work of Scotland on Saturday evening as they claimed a 69-28 victory at Hive Stadium.
Les Bleues looked to set the tempo early on as Manae Feleu scored the first of France's eight tries, though Carla Arbez missed the resulting conversion.
Scotland were briefly 7-5 ahead when Rachel Philipps marked her first start with a converted try.
The brief setback seemed to light a fire under France, who went in at the break 31-14 up.
And France continued to pummel the home side, as Pauline Barrat, Alexandra Chambon, Bonnie Soqeta, Lea Murie, Annaelle Deshayes and Ambre Mwayembe wrapped up a comprehensive victory.
There was time for Scotland to snatch a bonus point as 21-year-old Aicha Sutcliffe crashed over the line to mark her debut with a try.
On the performance, France's Elisa Riffonneau said: "It was good. In the first minutes we made a lot of mistakes because of discipline.
"We did well after the first half and in the changing room we said that we wanted to be better and I think that is what we made in the second half.
"I think Scotland did well, and it was difficult to defend them. It was a good battle."
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