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Thursday

14:00

England's Poppy Cleall named 2021 Six Nations player of the championship

By RugbyPass

29 Apr 2021

(Photo by Alex Davidson/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

England forward Poppy Cleall has been named 2021 Women’s Six Nations player of the championship after winning the first-ever public vote for the Guinness award. Cleall was nominated alongside fellow England forward Zoe Aldcroft and Caroline Boujard of France by a panel featuring the head coaches, captains and an equal representation of members of the media from all six competing nations.

She becomes the second-ever winner of the award, following in the footsteps of Emily Scarratt. Cleall was the overwhelming choice of fans, winning 62 per cent of over 12,000 votes cast. The 28-year-old was a force to be reckoned with at the back of the England scrum, winning player of the match against Scotland and following up with the match-winning try and another player of the match award in the final against France.

Cleal said: “It’s a huge honour to be named player of the championship. I’m not only a rugby player but a massive rugby fan and have been in awe of some of the games and moments in this tournament. It’s been such fun and a great occasion in women’s rugby to be a part of.

England pair Shaunagh Brown and Dan Norton guest on the latest RugbyPass Offload

“It’s already a huge moment in my career to win back-to-back titles with this team but to win this award is thanks to all the hard work of those around me from my coaches, teammates and my family. Representing England is a massive honour and one I hope I do proud.

“This tournament has been one-of-a-kind and I hope other female rugby players and athletes are given the same opportunity to be the best they can be.”

“That’s one of the moments that will live forever in my head but maybe in his it has completely gone."
Do not test @MaggieAlphonsi ?https://t.co/XS0m6DrEws
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 24, 2021

Six Nations CEO Ben Morel added: “Massive congratulations to Poppy on an outstanding championship. She is an incredible athlete who performed consistently throughout and also turned the biggest match of the year in her team’s favour. It’s great that so many fans have voted to recognise her outstanding contribution to England’s success.

“It was also fantastic to witness a rise in TV audiences and stronger than ever engagement on our digital platforms. I would like to thank everyone who watched matches, played fantasy rugby and took the time to vote. You are helping us grow women’s rugby and give these brilliant players the platform they deserve.”

'In primary school it was fine. I played football with the boys & rugby, I was in their team, but when it got to secondary that is when I did get called names for it' @zoeharrison123 talks to @heagneyl ??? about bullying, kicking & having the last laugh https://t.co/LKF95HE0KF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 28, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

TBPinOZ 7 minutes ago

Men's 15s World Player of the Year was only a two horse race

Ben Smith. My Man! So glad this is only "opinion piece". I was Reading the headline and straight away assumed you meant a 2 horse race between Pieter and Cheslin. There was no way you you meant Caelan.

Cheslin is not only the most exciting winger of this generation, but also a multi disciplined performer, Defence, Lineouts, Conversions and scrumming. LOL. He can do it all. He can put players twice his size on there rear ends and side step at full pace around on coming traffic on a penny.

I will also note that there has been since 2009 till 2017 only NZ winners bar the great one Thierry Dusautoir for France in 2011. And this was because they were the best team in the world winning back to back world cups, also having the best players at that time nominated. Never before has there been more than 2 players from the same country nominated for the award, but this year there was 3 from SA. All Dbl World Cup winning Players.

No one has been so put out about who was nominated in earlier awards, but for some reason you are.

I am thankful that its not up to you to decide on the "token" choices. (Rather lets not use that language again). The world chose the players and lets leave it there.

I don't Blame Rugby Pass for allowing this to print, but there should have been some profound editing on this.

Thanks for your opinion, But maybe lets keep it that just yours not anyone else's.

46 Go to comments

Wit Kant 39 minutes ago

Men's 15s World Player of the Year was only a two horse race

That is very rude towards Kieran Read

46 Go to comments

Cantab 1 hour ago

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If OZ are to regain their lost credibility they now need to tip up the Irish or at least run them close. Can't see that happening even though miracles occasionally occur

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SadersMan 1 hour ago

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Cantab 1 hour ago

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Australia will need their best team to be at least competitive against the Irish. Ireland are a much stronger team than Scotland.

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Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

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Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

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I am saddened that this is how Brendan Mullin has ended up. I met him in the 70's as a 16 year old , when attending a trial for an Irish Schools age group sevens team. I was coaching in Ulster at the time, and we had a player in contention.

On the way back up to Belfast, he was on the train for part of the way out of Dublin, and I got to know him a bit. He told me was born in Jerusalem, lived some years there. He was now being educated at the rugby powerhouse, Blackrock College. He made that team, as did my player. His immense talent was clear at that age.

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Jmann 3 hours ago

TJ Perenara clarifies reference to the Treaty in All Blacks' Haka

Wrong

13 Go to comments

Jmann 3 hours ago

TJ Perenara clarifies reference to the Treaty in All Blacks' Haka

in fact polls have shown conclusively 2 things: First - more people in NZ support the bill than do not (FACT!)/ Secondly - 96% of the 'hikoi' participants had not read Act's bill. In other words... they have no idea what it is about. You have carried this ignorance on with your statement that Act "seek to rewrite the Treaty'. That is 100% inaccurate and in fact is explicitly ruled out in the bill. You should educate yourself and read it before before commenting on matters that you clearly have no understanding of.

13 Go to comments

Jmann 3 hours ago

TJ Perenara clarifies reference to the Treaty in All Blacks' Haka

Balls - it was a misguided and unsanctioned dig into matters he (like 95% of the anti-Bill crowd) completely misunderstand and misrepresent. Good riddance to this bench warmer.