Press Notes | Marlie Packer
This week, Saracens Women’s co-captain Marlie Packer took questions from the press ahead of Sunday’s clash with Exeter Chiefs.
As part of a wide-ranging conversation, Packer highlighted how the squad had successfully managed to re-integrate the international stars back into the fold after two months away.
“Previously, it has been a bit difficult coming back from international duty into your club, but this year, it’s felt seamless. Whilst we’ve been away, the players that have been here have been doing Saracens proud. We won the cup in the last few weeks and that’s created a real excitement in the group. The staff have made the integration period really fun as well. We had a gym session with everyone wearing their summer shirts which was cool. We’ve been doing little things after sessions as well which may not sound like much but are so important in terms of that bonding as a team.”
Last week, the side secured a bonus-point victory over Sale Sharks and Packer feels that her side learnt a lot from the game.
“To get back on the horse and get the win was important. It wasn’t the perfect game for us, but the way we delivered and came out firing was good. We had times when things didn’t go our way. Sale really posed questions of us, but we dealt with that and kept putting on the performance we did.”
With three matches to go, a top two spot is very much in Packer’s side’s hands. The flanker admitted that being able to play a semi-final at home would be extra special.
“We want a home semi-final. There’s nothing better than playing knockout rugby in front of a home crowd and it’s special doing that here at StoneX Stadium. We know that, but we’re striving to put in the best performance every week.”
This weekend, the side travel to Devon to face Exeter Chiefs and Packer explained that it was the sort of fixture that everyone in the squad was excited for.
“This is one of those games that everyone looks forward to being a part of and this week in training, everyone has been putting their hands up for selection. We need to make sure we maximise the games we have coming up. I don’t think the seedings for the semi-finals will be decided until the last game of the season, so the focus for us this weekend is about going down there and putting a performance on."
