Packer finishes it off for Middleton’s ruthless Red Roses
ROCHELLE Clark celebrated her record-equalling England cap with a narrow win over France at the Stoop on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old came off the bench in the 56th minute to join fellow prop Jason Leonard on the 114 cap mark.
The Red Roses star made her debut in 2003 against Canada as a replacement and has gone on to win seven Six Nations and a World Cup in a stellar international career.
She said: “Jason has been my absolute hero for ages. To match him and potentially overtake him is a huge honour.”
England went into the last ten minutes of the game leading 5-0 after a first half try from Amy Cokayne but France levelled matters seven minutes from time as Christelle le Duff went over in the corner.
A draw looked on the cards but a yellow card to wing Camille Grassineau for a spear tackle on Fiona Pocock handed England one last shot and Marlie Packer clinched it.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to get the win against last season’s Six Nations champions,” said head coach Simon Middleton.
“We’ve talked for a while about what being ruthless looks like and that was a great example of it. To get a penalty, kick to the corner and catch and drive and score a try to close the game out was fantastic.”
Middleton also paid tribute to Clark saying: “Rocky is amazing. Indestructible. She’s a credit to the sport and far from finished.”
The first-half had a feel of a series opener and the tone was set when Katy Mclean launched the kickoff out on the full.
Cokayne’s try from a catch and drive handed England the half-time lead but France made a quick start to the second half but were denied a try after being held up in goal.
However, France seized on some England indecision as Christelle le Duff went over in the corner seven minutes from time.
But Grassineau’s yellow card for that dangerous tackle handed England an opportunity to steal the win and Packer dully obliged.