Ellingham and Ringwood Cleall twins make Six Nations history
BURGATE’S identical twins Poppy and Bryony Cleall had Ireland seeing double last Friday night when they both took to the pitch in England Women’s Six Nations opening victory in Dublin.
The 26-year-old sisters, who are former Ellingham & Ringwood RFC players, played a big part in England Red Roses bonus-point 51-7 win.
On a cold night at Donnybrook, Poppy made her 25th international appearance and Bryony came off the bench for her first England cap and made it a real night to remember with a debut try. It was the first time twins had featured in the Six Nations for England Women.
The game was live on Sky Sports and at the end of the match, the Cleall twins were clearly delighted with their evening’s work as they were pictured congratulating each other and celebrating with the victorious Red Roses squad.
England scored eight tries against Ireland’s one with Poppy having a hand in the third try just after half-time, offloading to Sarah Bern who burst through to score.
With England in a dominant position, coach Simon Middleton rang the changes in the 47th minute with Poppy substituted for Richmond’s Rowena Burnfield. Eight minutes later Bryony came on at prop for her debut and wasted no time acquainting herself with international rugby, powering over from close range for England’s final try.
The twins started playing rugby as six-year-olds with Ellingham & Ringwood RFC and currently play for Saracens in the Tyrells Premiership.
Poppy made her way through the England pathway and stepped up to the senior international stage in 2016. She helped England to Six Nations Grand Slam glory in 2017 and picked up a runners-up medal at the 2017 Rugby World Cup.
Bryony’s rugby career was curtailed at the age of 17 with a serious knee injury that kept her away from the game for five years. She went on to study Sports Science and Geography at Loughborough University and it was not until she continued her education with a Masters at Exeter University in 2015 that she started playing again. She has now put all her injuries behind her and finally joins her sister as a full England international.
This Sunday (10th February) Poppy and Bryony’s England side will be facing France Women at Castle Park, Doncaster.
The match is already being billed as a potential Women’s Six Nations decider with France last year’s Grand Slam winners and current holders facing up to an England outfit who were 2018 runners-up.
The Red Roses will be looking for revenge against Les Bleus. The match is live on Sky Sports, kick-off at 12.45pm.08
