England’s BIG Win, Joe Marler on Retirement & Marlie Packer Losing Captaincy | Stick to Rugby EP 8

The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Joe Marler & Marlie Packer join Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, and Tom Shanklin for a no-holds-barred breakdown of the Six Nations, mental health in rugby, and the realities of life after the game. Marler and Packer reflect on England’s emphatic win over Wales and whether this was a turning point for Steve Borthwick’s side. They also preview the Women’s Six Nations, discussing the contenders, England’s dominance, and what to expect from the tournament. Marlie shares her raw emotions on losing the England captaincy, what it meant to step back, and whether she ever considered walking away from the sport altogether. Meanwhile, Joe opens up about retirement—both the fear of stepping away and the lack of aftercare rugby offers once players hang up their boots. The panel also breaks down the PWR Final, Marlie’s take on the intensity of the competition, and what it means for the future of the women’s game. The conversation expands into the bigger picture of mental health in rugby, the pressures of leadership, and why so many players feel lost when their careers come to an end. ⚠️ This episode includes discussions on mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, visit one of the following organisations: Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/ NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ FRANK - https://www.talktofrank.com/ Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.