MARLIE PACKER has no doubt that one of the toughest pre-seasons she can remember with England will pay dividends in the short and long term.

The biggest 12 months in Red Roses history begins tomorrow when England tackle fierce Six Nations rivals France at Kingsholm.

They host New Zealand on Saturday week in a second preparation Test before heading to Canada for the WXV1, when their opponents will be the Black Ferns again, United States and Canada.