Poppy Cleall promised there is more to come from England after they started the defence of their Women’s Six Nations crown with an emphatic 52-10 win against Scotland.
The hosts ran in eight tries in Doncaster, with Poppy and her twin sister Bryony Cleall scoring one each.
England crossed five times in the first half, including a superb individual try from winger Jess Breach, but Scotland got a foothold in the second half as the reigning champions wobbled.
Both Cleall and Lark Davies were sin-binned, while Hannah Smith scored a Scotland try in between.
Highlights: England 52-10 Scotland
And, though England regathered their composure and saw Scotland off, Cleall insists they have work to do.
“We’ve been waiting a long while for the opening game of the Six Nations,” the Women’s Six Nations Player of the Match said.
“Some bits we won’t be too happy with and we will probably be shouted at, like going down to 13 players.
“We can play better than that and that’s what we’ll take from it, we can do better.
“You don’t get second chances in this format of the Women’s Six Nations. We have trained very well in the last couple of weeks and I think we didn’t quite put that out there.
“We’ll go away, have a look and train better than we have been so we can get out here and do England proud.”
It was certainly a proud day for the Cleall household, with both sisters on the try sheet.
It was a particularly special occasion for prop Bryony, who won just her second England cap after a two-year absence through injury and scored in the first half.
“I am so proud of her, it’s two caps and two tries!” Poppy said.
“I tried to put it on a plate for her and she finished it so well. We also have Cath O’Donnell back after two years out from injury and they have come back and fitted in so seamlessly.
“They have been working so hard away from the squad, we can all see that. We’re so proud of her [Bryony] and pleased to see her back in a white shirt. She’s worked so hard.”
