FORMER captain Marlie Packer remains an “invaluable” asset to England as she prepares for only her second appearance of this year’s Women’s Six Nations.

The veteran Saracens flanker was stripped of the captaincy ahead of the championship and then left out of John Mitchell’s match day squad for wins over Wales and Ireland in rounds two and three.

Having started the victorious tournament opener against Italy, 2023 world player of the year Packer has been recalled as part of nine changes for Saturday’s clash with Scotland at Welford Road in Leicester.

Red Roses head coach Mitchell has been trialling different combinations ahead of this year’s home World Cup, with Zoe Aldcroft, who replaced Packer as skipper in January, the only player selected to start all four fixtures.

England lock Abbie Ward believes long-term international team-mate Packer, 35, continues to make a big impact on and off the pitch.

“I don’t think there was ever really like a demotion; Marlie’s a fantastic leader and always will be, whether she’s wearing that armband or not,” said Bristol player Ward.

“Even if she’s not on pitch, she brings her experience.

“Often you speak about the energy that she has and that ferocity, but she also has this other side where she brings a calmness to the squad because she’s been there, she’s done that, she’s been in tough games, she’s been on the sides of huge wins and also losses, and I think that’s just invaluable to us.

“But then when she’s got the shirt, and she’s playing, she brings that animal, that’s when she brings that ferocity, that’s when she brings the energy, the aggression that we need, and we feed off as a team.

“Whether she’s playing or not playing, she’s doing what she’s always done, which is trying to elevate the entire squad.”

Reigning champions England are bidding to maintain their 100 per cent winning record as they chase a seventh successive Six Nations title.

Packer takes the number seven jersey from Sadia Kabeya and will win her 110th cap, with props Kelsey Clifford and Sarah Bern, flanker Rosie Galligan and number eight Maddie Feaunati the other players restored to the pack.

Among the backs, centre Jade Shekells is poised for her maiden Test start. Scrum-half Lucy Packer, fly-half Holly Aitchison and wing Claudia MacDonald also come in.

Defence coach Nathan Catt, who revealed hooker Amy Cokayne was unavailable due to a pectoral injury, said: “Across all positions, there’s proper competition. We’re blessed to have some really good squad depth.

“In that seven shirt, and one to 15, there’s genuine competition for places.”