England rugby star Marlie inspires talent of the future

Marlie Packer with one of the young rugby players

World Cup winner Marlie Packer said it was great to meet enthusiastic young players at the event, held at Myerscough College, near Preston.

The flanker, who also works for HomeServe as a qualified plumber, gave the girls an insight into both the life of a professional rugby player and the many challenges she has had to overcome to reach the top.

And coaches from the Sale Sharks Community Trust took the girls - aged 12 to 17 - through advanced rugby drills as well as coaching in healthy eating and keeping fit.

Saracens player Marlie said she hoped the camp would be a stepping stone to encourage the girls to play rugby at a higher level.

She said: “It was such an honour to be able to come down and meet the girls.

“As an England team, we’re determined to drive the women’s game forward and after seeing the enthusiasm and skill on show here, it’s obvious that it’s going in the right direction.

“The excitement and interest around women’s rugby at the moment is fantastic and events like this camp – and the work of the Sharks Community Trust – are only going to maintain that momentum.”

Darren Lamon, lead coach for the camp last week, added: “It was brilliant to have Marlie at the camp. The girls really responded to her and you could just tell they were listening to every word she said. We’re trying to give them as much insight as we can into what it takes to reach the very top so to have someone who has done just that.”