England forward Packer to miss North America tour

Two-time World Cup winner Marlie Packer will not travel with England to North America this month for Tests against Canada and the United States.

The Harlequins back-rower will remain in the United Kingdom with her partner and Red Roses team-mate Rosie Galligan due to give birth.

England face Canada on 17 and 24 October (both 00:00 BST starts) before playing the USA in one-off match on 30 October (21:15 BST).

England are boosted by the return of Kelsey Clifford for the North American tour, with the Saracens prop returning from a hamstring injury.

The Red Roses continue a tough run of fixtures after playing three matches in September, beating Australia and New Zealand but ending their record-breaking winning streak with a draw against Canada.

England head coach John Mitchell described their home Tests with Canada and the Black Ferns as "humdingers that could have gone either way."

The Tests against Canada in Toronto and Ottawa are being viewed by England as the culmination of a self-titled three-Test series.

Mitchell described his expectations for the squad: "The 32 players travelling to North America have a great opportunity to elevate our connections as a squad because playing away from home requires togetherness.

"We have shown a real hunger to compete and improve, and we're excited to rip into our preparations and continue our rivalry with Canada in Toronto."

England also confirmed that Delaney Burns, Haidee Head and Sophie McQueen would not travel due to injury.

Harlequins back rower Packer is England's most capped active player with 119 caps.

Forwards: Christiana Balogun (Bristol Bears, 1 cap), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 87 caps), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 65 caps), Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 12 caps), May Campbell (Saracens, 7 caps), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31 caps), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 25 caps), Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, vice-capt, 94 caps) , Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 30 caps), Bryony Field (Saracens, 3 caps), Daisy Hibbert-Jones (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 11 caps), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 34 caps), Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, vice-capt, 84 caps), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 56 caps), Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, 4 caps), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 32 caps)

Backs: Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 50 caps), Jess Breach (Saracens, 59 caps), Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 73 caps), Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks, 37 caps), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 91 caps), Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, capt, 41 caps), Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears, 65 caps), Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps), Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 47 caps), Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 54 caps), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 17 caps), Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury, 5 caps), Bo Westcombe-Evans (Trailfinders Women, 2 caps)