It didn’t take England and Saracens’ lock forward Poppy Cleall long to agree to become a didi rugby ambassador when asked.
Having begun playing the game she loves at the tender age of six at an after-school club, Norwich-born Poppy is one of life’s do-ers.
Raising money for charities has seen her trekking mountain ranges in Nepal and cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
On the pitch, Poppy has been equally ambitious and successful. A Grand Slam Six Nations winner with England and a World Cup runner-up, the back-row forward has just won a national title with Saracens after beating Harlequins 24-20 in a thrilling Tyrrells Premiership final in 2018.
She now shares the Saracens changing room with younger twin, Bryony and is happy they are on the same side: “We are very competitive and that’s why I have joined Sarries because I am not playing against her any more!”
The next generation
Poppy is a versatile forward and started all five games in the 2018 Six Nations playing at No.8, blindside flanker and second-row.
Having started playing so young, she believes didi rugby is doing a great job of spreading the game to the next generation and has been spending time with Ben and Sarries team mate Georgie Gulliver at the Bedfordshire franchise.
“When Ben and Georgie first took on the Didi rugby Bedfordshire, I couldn’t think of two better people to hang out with on a weekend and learn rugby with,” she said.
“I have seen the great work that didi rugby is doing through the photos and videos on social media and all the kids having a great time.
“So when they asked me to be an ambassador, I didn’t take long to reply. What’s better then getting to pick up a ball on a weekend and make some friends – whatever age you are!”