Marlie Packer could be crowned world's best player according to Red Roses legend Maggie Alphonsi

By Ben Hart, Sportsbeat Marlie Packer is in contention to be crowned World Rugby Player of the Year, according to her former England teammate Maggie Alphonsi. Ad The Yeovil-born star has become an integral part of a Red Roses team who have shattered records, stretching their winning run to 25 Tests ahead of the 2021 Rugby World Cup, which begins on Saturday.

RugbySarah Hunter key to Red Roses World Cup bid according to former teammate Maggie Alphonsi25 MINUTES AGO Simon Middleton's side head into the tournament as red-hot favourites with Packer one of six survivors from the squad that tasted success in France in 2014. She heads into the latest World Cup on the back of a spectacular season at both club and international level, where she was nominated for the Six Nations Player of the Tournament award and later named England's player of the year.

And's Packer back-row colleague from England’s 2014 triumph believes she could claim rugby's ultimate individual prize and be crowned World Player of the Year if the Red Roses rule the roost in New Zealand. «She is a player that seems to just be enjoying her rugby,» said Alphonsi.

«It may sound quite cheesy, but she's gone from this stage of having pressure on her shoulders and not necessarily playing her very best rugby to, suddenly, weight off her shoulders and just literally enjoying having the ball in her hands. »She was nominated for Six Nations player of the year and unfortunately missed out to get that award but then won England's player of the year award.