Image source, Harlequins RFCImage caption, Marlie Packer will join Quins next season after nine years at Saracens
BySara OrchardRugby union commentator- Published58 minutes ago
Two-time Women's Rugby World Cup-winner Marlie Packer has agreed to join Harlequins Women next season, after announcing she is leaving Saracens.
Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport, the 36-year-old admitted she had even considered retirement when the 2025-26 campaign was over.
But after Saracens told her there was no contract for her to stay at the club, she took it on herself and approached Harlequins before the start of the Women's Six Nations.
The draw of Quins' "world class" back row was part of her decision, as she also confirmed her desire to play for the British and Irish Lions in 2027.
"You've got the back row of Alex Calendar [and] Aoife Wafer - they're world-class back-row players and they're all potential Lions players," she said.
"Why would I not want to chuck myself in the mix with them, play with them, see how we play off each other, see if [Lions head coach] Jo Yapp suddenly goes, 'oh yeah, that's quite a good combination'?
"I don't think I really had my eyes on the Lions, probably, before the Six Nations.
"Coming off the back of it, I still want to put my hat in the ring for that, and I think moving to Quins definitely does that."
Retirement plans shelved
Packer had initially considered retiring at the end of this season, although she had not shared these thoughts with others.
She said a conversation with England head coach John Mitchell, where he "posed a good couple of questions to me", helped her refocus.
And with no contract on the table at Saracens, Packer had to act.
"I'm more of a proactive instead of a reactive kind of person," she said.
"Now I've got [son] Oliver and a mortgage, so I got in touch with Harlequins just to see if the door was open."
Before Quins head coach Ross Chisholm had met with Packer, he attended the Red Roses' training and was impressed with the former England skipper's attitude and impact on the group.
"We just had quite an open conversation," Packer added.
"He said, 'I really loved how you trained with the Red Roses [and] actually seeing you in training, you're someone that would be a really good fit for Harlequins'."
With Packer impressing for England in the Six Nations, picking up player of the match awards against Wales and Italy, she knew that, once the tournament concluded, she had to "make some life choices".
As she returned to Saracens, it was made clear by head coach Alex Austerberry that there was still no new deal for her, so she decided it was time to move on.
And with her partner, fellow England World Cup winner Rosie Galligan, pregnant, and their son Oliver settled at a nearby school, there seemed one obvious option.
"The fact that Harlequins was only 20 minutes down the road, the fit just seemed to be perfect," she said.
'I want to help Quins to be champions'
Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Marlie Packer says she has no hard feelings after not being offered a contract by Saracens
Despite future aspirations to get into coaching and discussions to get involved with BUCS university rugby, she joins Harlequins just as a player.
With a second child on the way, Packer knew that committing to both coaching and playing would be too big a draw on her time.
Packer would not be drawn on rumours that her partner Galligan would also be joining her at Quins.
And while Saracens and Harlequins have had a long-standing rivalry across the women's and men's setups, Packer has no issue with moving across London.
"Harlequins made me feel valued," she said.
"Something else has excited me, something else is going to give me a driver to be the best version of Marlie Packer, and get her into the Lions.
"I want to help Harlequins be back in the top four, but not just be a top four contender. We want to be back as Premiership Women's Rugby [PWR] champions."
Despite Saracens not offering her a 10th year Packer said Saracens would always have a special place in her heart.
She is also determined to finish on a high with another trophy, as Sarries head into their semi-final with Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.
"A couple of times over the last few seasons, we've just been the bridesmaids and not the finished article, which has been disappointing," Packer added.
"But I'd love to sign off this season as a PWR champion with Saracens four times."
