Poppy Cleall is one of the most respected forwards in English women’s rugby. Known for her power, work rate and versatility, she has enjoyed a successful career with Saracens and England. Her journey includes domestic titles, Grand Slam wins, two World Cup finals and a major change of direction after her England contract ended.
Who Is Poppy Cleall?
Poppy Cleall is an English rugby union player who has represented Saracens Women and the Red Roses. She is best known as a number eight or back-row forward, although she has also played in the second row. Her game combines strong carrying, physical defence and clever offloads.
Poppy Cleall’s age, height and weight
Born on 12 June 1992 in Norwich, Poppy Cleall is 34 years old as of August 2026. She stands 181 centimetres tall and weighs 96 kilograms. She grew up in Dorset, where her passion for rugby began with her identical twin sister, Bryony Cleall.
Early Life and Family
The Cleall twins started playing rugby when they were six. They attended an after-school club where their brother Josh was already taking part. The sisters soon joined local clubs, including Ellingham & Ringwood, Wimborne and Salisbury.
The family remains close. In a July 2026 Instagram post, Poppy described May Campbell and Lotte Sharp as part of the original group that shared Christmas dinners, parties and championship campaigns. The phrase “6x CHAMPS?” was casual wording, not a formal record of her individual titles.
Poppy Cleall’s Route to Saracens
Her senior career developed through Bristol and Saracens. She joined Saracens in 2012, moved to Bristol and returned to north London in 2017. She then became a central figure in the team’s most successful modern period.
Domestic success with Saracens
Poppy Cleall helped Saracens win major domestic honours and was nominated for Premiership Player of the Year in 2016. She played a key role in the Premier 15s title wins in 2018 and 2019, receiving Player of the Match in the 2019 final.
She was also part of the Saracens team that regained the league title in 2022. Her long service was recognised in 2024 when she made her 150th appearance for the club during a Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final against Bristol Bears. Saracens confirmed a new multi-year deal for the forward in 2024, showing that she still had an important role at club level.
Recent trophies and performances
Saracens won the 2025–26 Premiership Women’s Rugby title after defeating Trailfinders Women 52–14 in the final. Cleall was part of the successful squad. Saracens won the 2025–26 PWR Cup after beating Harlequins 43–33. Her biography records two PWR Cups and five Premiership titles. During the 2025–26 league campaign, she led the competition for offloads with 28, underlining her value in open play.
England Career and International Honours
Cleall progressed through the England pathway and Under-20 set-up before making her senior debut against Scotland in the 2016 Women’s Six Nations. She soon became a regular member of the Red Roses pack.
Grand Slams and World Cup finals
Poppy Cleall helped England win multiple Six Nations Grand Slams and played in the 2017 and 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup campaigns. England reached the final on both occasions, giving her two silver medals. The phrase “two World Cups” refers to two final appearances, not two victories.
In 2021, she won the Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship and England Women’s Player of the Year awards. World Rugby nominated her for its top women’s award and selected her at number eight in the Dream Team; Zoe Aldcroft won.
Cleall captained England for the first time against New Zealand in 2021. She later led the side in the 2022 Six Nations. Her final confirmed England appearance came against France in September 2024, when she won her 66th cap.
Her current social biography and a 2026 rugby feature claim seven Grand Slam titles. Earlier coverage used six, so the total should be dated.
Why Is Poppy Cleall Not Playing for England?
The main reason is a change in contract and selection, not a confirmed retirement caused by injury. The RFU did not include Cleall in its 2024–25 professional contracts, despite her 65 England caps.
New head coach John Mitchell did not select her for his first training group. She was later named in the 2024 Six Nations squad, but suspension and injury prevented her from playing. She returned for a warm-up match against France and earned her 66th cap.
Poppy Cleall wanted to reach the 2025 World Cup, but was not chosen. In 2026, she said she had worked hard to stay ready before accepting a different direction. She has not announced a complete retirement. Instead, she has moved towards semi-professional club rugby and policing, while remaining open to an England call during an injury crisis.
Poppy Cleall Partner and Personal Life
The clearest relationship detail comes from a September 2024 interview, which described Harlequins and England player Connie Powell as Cleall’s girlfriend. There is no newer reliable confirmation of their status in August 2026, and no dependable source confirms that Cleall has a husband. Her posts about Josh Cleall and Elaine’s wedding referred to her brother’s marriage, not her own.
The 2023 Headbutt Allegation
In June 2023, Poppy Cleall was accused of headbutting an Exeter Chiefs coach during the half-time movement through the tunnel at Sandy Park. An RFU investigation concluded that no action would be taken against Cleall. Exeter coach Steve Salvin received a formal warning.
In a later interview, she said that the two people walked into each other. It was an allegation that ended without action against her, not a proven headbutt. Poppy Cleall received a separate two-match ban in March 2024 for foul language during a match against Leicester Tigers Women. It was unrelated to the tunnel incident.
Work Beyond Rugby
Before becoming a full-time rugby player, Cleall worked in the prison service. Joining the police had been a long-term ambition, and she later began training with Thames Valley Police. In 2026, Saracens described her working overnight shifts as an instant responder before playing for the club. She has also worked in coaching and grassroots development with Wasps Women, helping young players improve and making rugby more welcoming for girls.
Women’s Rugby Agency
Poppy Cleall founded the Women’s Rugby Agency to arrange coaching sessions, player appearances and opportunities for schools and charities. Its aim is to connect young people with female rugby role models. In 2023, Bournemouth University awarded her an honorary Doctor of Arts for her achievements in rugby and work promoting gender equality. It was an honorary award, not an earned doctorate.
Poppy Cleall’s Legacy
Poppy Cleall’s legacy reaches beyond her trophy cabinet. She helped England reach two World Cup finals, played a major role in Saracens’ success and inspired young players through coaching. Her career shows how an athlete can adapt. After losing her England contract, she continued competing for Saracens while building a future in policing. The July 2026 post with May Campbell and Lotte Sharp captured friendships formed through years of shared work. Rugby has brought Cleall titles, recognition, setbacks and relationships beyond the pitch.
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