Bryony Cleall built a remarkable life around rugby. She reached the highest level of the women’s game as an England prop, won major honours and overcame career-threatening injuries. After retiring in 2025, she became Director of Rugby at Elite Rugby Academy, combining coaching, education and leadership.
Who Is Bryony Cleall?
Bryony Antonia Cleall is an English rugby union player and coach from Norwich, Norfolk. Born on 12 June 1992, she is 34 years old in 2026. She played mainly at tight-head prop and represented England and the Barbarians.
Bryony Cleall is the identical twin sister of Poppy Cleall, who also succeeded with England and Saracens. They began playing together as children and later shared the pitch for club and country.
Away from the pitch, Cleall is a qualified physical education teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Sports Science from Loughborough University, a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education, and an MSc in Educational Statistics and Research Methods from the University of Exeter.
Bryony Cleall’s Age, Height and Weight
Bryony Cleall was born on 12 June 1992 and celebrated her 34th birthday in June 2026. Her rugby records give her height as 183 centimetres and playing weight as 108 kilograms. These measurements suited front-row rugby, where balance, power and body position are vital.
Early Life and the Start of Rugby
Bryony Cleall and Poppy Cleall first picked up rugby at six. They grew up playing in Hampshire, representing Ellingham and Ringwood, Wimborne and Salisbury.
At 17, Cleall suffered a serious knee injury while pursuing an England age-group opportunity. The injury kept her away from rugby for five years. For a young player with international ambitions, such a long absence could have ended the dream. Instead, she focused on rehabilitation, education and finding a way back to the game.
Education, Teaching and Girls’ Rugby
Her teaching career began at a school within the Harris Federation in South London. She worked as a physical education teacher, Director of Rugby and Head of Girls PE.
One of her proudest projects was helping establish the UK’s first state-school girls’ rugby academy. The programme created a clearer pathway for girls who wanted to play seriously and gain access to specialist coaching and competition.
Her influence was also felt by future England players. Sadia Kabeya, who later became a Red Rose, has spoken about Cleall’s role as a school PE teacher and mentor. Her impact reached beyond her own performances and helped young athletes believe that elite rugby could be part of their future.
Club Rugby and the Saracens Years
Bryony Cleall played for Bristol before joining Saracens Women in 2015. The club became a major part of her playing life, and she developed into a powerful and intelligent prop within one of England’s strongest women’s teams.
During her first spell with the club, she helped Saracens win back-to-back Premier 15s titles in 2017–18 and 2018–19. She was also named the club’s Supporters’ Player of the Year for 2017–18, recognition of her work rate, physical carrying and consistent performances.
Saracens recognised her ability to influence matches in more than one way. She could make hard carries, offer a strong presence at the set piece and contribute through her rugby understanding. In the 2018–19 campaign, she scored 13 tries, a notable return for a front-row player.
Wasps and Harlequins
After her first Saracens spell, Cleall joined Wasps in 2021 and later moved to Harlequins. Playing for different clubs broadened her experience and exposed her to new coaching systems, teammates and leadership demands.
She returned to Saracens in 2024 and helped the team win the 2023–24 Premiership Cup, scoring in the final stages of the competition.
England Career and International Honours
Cleall earned her first England cap against Ireland in the 2019 Women’s Six Nations. She came off the bench and scored a try, a memorable start after the long period she had spent recovering from injury.
Her progress was interrupted again when she suffered a broken leg. After another difficult recovery, she returned to the England side in 2021 and scored against Scotland in the opening match of the Women’s Six Nations.
Bryony Cleall and Poppy Cleall: A Twin Success Story
That match carried special meaning because Poppy was also involved. The twins scored a try each as England made a strong start to their title defence. Two sisters who had started playing together as children were now representing their country on the international stage.
During her England career, Cleall was part of three Six Nations-winning squads. She also won Grand Slam honours in 2018–19 and 2021–22. She earned seven international caps and helped build one of the most successful periods in Red Roses history. Her honours also include Premiership Cup titles in 2023–24 and 2025–26.
Playing Style and Physical Strength
As a prop, Cleall’s role was built on strength, technique and discipline. Front-row players must understand the scrum, maintain a stable body position and work closely with the rest of the front row.
Bryony Cleall was also effective in open play. Saracens coaches praised her ball carrying, physicality, passing ability and rugby brain. She could make metres, attract defenders and create space for teammates. Her try-scoring record showed that she was more than a set-piece specialist.
Recovering from a serious knee injury, returning after a broken leg and adapting to different clubs required patience and determination. Those experiences later became valuable lessons in her coaching work.
Bryony Cleall’s Retirement from Rugby
In October 2025, Cleall announced that she would retire from professional rugby after 27 years in the game. Her final appearance came for Saracens in the Premiership Women’s Rugby Cup Final against Harlequins at StoneX Stadium.
Harlequins had been one of her former clubs, making the ending fitting. Saracens won 43–33, giving Cleall a celebratory finish in front of her home supporters. She left with two Premiership titles, three Six Nations victories, Grand Slam success and Premiership Cup honours.
Life After Playing: Coaching and Leadership
From September 2023 to June 2025, Cleall worked with Wasps FC as Coach Developer and Community Development Officer. She helped coaches improve, built community links and supported rugby programmes. She also served as Head Coach of Wasps Women for two years.
In July 2025, she became Director of Rugby at Elite Rugby Academy. The academy helps young players develop their skills and understand what is needed to progress. Her experience as an international prop, teacher and coach gives her a broad view of player development.
Her work at Elite Rugby Academy includes more than technical training. She promotes confidence, resilience, good habits and personal responsibility. An ERA podcast project focused on Connor, a young player overlooked for selection. Cleall and Programme Director Nash Cohen used his story to explore how athletes respond to disappointment and adversity. The podcast was announced for launch on 4 September 2026.
The podcast reflects the values that have shaped Cleall’s own career. Winning matters, but setbacks can reveal character, discipline and the willingness to improve. These are the lessons she now passes on to the next generation.
Bryony Cleall’s Partner and Personal Life
Bryony Cleall keeps much of her personal life away from sporting coverage. However, an Instagram update refers to “married life” and tags Amy Cleall. This confirms that Amy is her wife. The post described the early weeks of married life as a happy period, although no precise wedding date has been given.
Her close relationship with Poppy has been central to her rugby journey, while her work with young players shows that she values community and shared progress. Cleall’s life is now shaped by coaching, teaching and leadership as much as by her former playing career.
The Lasting Legacy of Bryony Cleall
Bryony Cleall leaves a strong legacy in English women’s rugby. She proved that a player can recover from major injuries, reach the international stage and continue serving the sport after retirement. Her influence as a teacher and mentor may last even longer than her playing career.
By helping create a state-school girls’ rugby academy, supporting coaches and leading Elite Rugby Academy, she has worked to make rugby more accessible. Her example can encourage young players who face disappointment or limited opportunities.
Cleall is focused on helping people grow, compete with confidence and enjoy rugby. From a child playing alongside her twin to an England international and now a rugby director, her journey shows how resilience can turn setbacks into purpose.
Conclusion
Bryony Cleall’s career combines sporting success, education and service to the rugby community. She won major honours with England and Saracens, returned from serious injuries and shared historic moments with her twin sister Poppy. Since retiring in 2025, she has taken on a new challenge as Director of Rugby at Elite Rugby Academy, where she continues to support young players and the growth of girls’ rugby across the UK.
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