Bryony Cleall retires as PWR Cup champion with win over Harlequins

On Saturday afternoon former England prop Bryony Cleall retired from rugby with a PWR Cup final win.

The 33-year-old announced her intention to retire in the run up to Saracens’ 43-33 win over London rivals, and her former club, Harlequins.

After taking up the game aged six alongside her twin sister, Poppy, the prop forward did not enjoy the easiest route to her seven international caps.

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A serious knee injury at 17 kept her out of the game for five years, it was only when she enrolled for a masters at Exeter University and the tutelage of Jo Yapp that her senior career sparked to life.

In 2016 she moved to North London and won consecutive domestic titles in 2018 and 2019. One week after she made her Test rugby debut against Ireland in the 2019 Women’s Six Nations the front-row broke her leg and missed two years of rugby.

She then left Saracens for Wasps and then Harlequins, before she made the move back to StoneX Stadium in March 2024.

That season Cleall helped the club to a PWR Cup win and came off the bench on Saturday to help secure victory in the same competition and finish up a storied playing career in style.

“After an incredible 27 years, with a fair few injuries along the way, the time has come to hang up the boots and step away from playing the game I have loved since I was six years old,” Cleall told the Saracens website ahead of the fixture.

“To finish my career by running out at the StoneX one last time, in a final against Harlequins no less, could not have been scripted any better. And to have found my way home to the club makes it even more special.

“Looking back to the kid who first picked up a rugby ball at primary school in Norfolk, it is a real pinch me moment to reflect on how far the game has taken me.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have played for England, to have been part of three Six Nations winning squads, two Premiership title teams, and to lift the PWR Cup.

“Those moments will stay with me forever. I am so proud of what I have achieved, and just as proud of how much the sport itself has grown and evolved over the years.

“I am deeply grateful to all the teammates, coaches, fans, and especially my family who have supported me every step of the way. You have helped shape not only my career, but also the person I am today.”

It was a high-scoring affair in the final, as Saracens’ Liz Crake and Harlequins’ Lauren Torley exchanged early scores in the contest.

Before the first half was up Bryony Field had dotted down for the hosts and Crake had a second. Katie Shillaker’s score was the West Londoners sole response.

 

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In the second half all hell broke loose. Beth Wilcock and Torley scored either side of a Tori Sellors score for Saracens. It was when Poppy Cleall and Charlotte Wright-Haley crossed the whitewash that ultimately put the contest out of sight.

Harlequins did hit back with Ella Cromack’s converted score in the 69th minute before Amelia MacDougall’s penalty goal in the final 10 minutes retained the Cup.

After the final whistle Saracens’ social media accounts shared a video of Cleall looking to the sky. Her race was run.