Packer to miss Red Roses' tour of North America

England's most-capped active player Marlie Packer will miss the WXV Global Series matches against Canada and the USA in North America later this month.

Two-time World Cup winner Packer, who has made 119 appearances for her country, will remain at home with partner and Red Roses team-mate Rosie Galligan due to give birth.

England play Canada in Toronto and Ottawa on October 17 and 24 respectively before a game versus USA in New Jersey on October 30.

Delaney Burns, Haidee Head and Sophie McQueen are ruled out through injury.

The Red Roses played three times in September, beating Australia and New Zealand around a 26-26 draw with Canada in Exeter that ended the hosts' 39-match winning streak.

Head coach John Mitchell said: Our last two Tests against Canada and New Zealand have been humdingers that could have gone either way. They were hugely important to our development towards [the 2029 World Cup].

"Playing quality opposition and learning to adapt under pressure will help us raise our level and improve our game.

"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."

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)