The Red Roses have continued their impressive winning streak this campaign without a number of key players because of injury and pregnancy.
Their injury woes continued during the warm-up on Saturday as number eight Maddie Feaunati pulled out of the game, resulting in a late reshuffle in the pack, with Burton moving to number eight and 19-year-old lock Haineala Lutui promoted to the starting line-up.
None of that disrupted the visitors’ start.
An intelligent kick through by Zoe Harrison was gathered by veteran Packer, who scored twice last time out against Wales in Bristol, and she got England off the mark.
Italy, who only announced their first professional contracts before the 2023 Six Nations, started well in their previous home match to record a comfortable 41-14 win against Scotland, but errors and sloppy defence prevented a repeat.
The hosts did manage to score three first-half tries, benefiting from a deliberate knock-on by Ellie Kildunne that resulted in a sin-bin and penalty try.
Given Wales registered their highest score (24) and a try bonus point against England, Mitchell will be disappointed that his side only narrowly avoided conceding their highest number of first-half points (21).
But despite the change in personnel, the Red Roses’ set-piece remained dominant and a source of points.
Packer, who is now just two behind Sue Day as England’s all-time top try scorer, powered through a number of defenders to score her fourth of the game.
The former England captain, 36, missed out on selection for the big knockout games at the World Cup but is showing her worth in a competitive back row.
Given her experience leading England to back-to-back Grand Slams in 2023 and 2024, the 115-cap flanker has found form that would make her worthy of inclusion in Bordeaux.
