Kelsey Clifford

Kelsey Clifford
Date of birth (2001-12-11) 11 December 2001 (age 23)
Place of birthLondon, England
Height172 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Saracens
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019– Saracens – (–)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 England U18s 2 (–)
2020–2022 England U20s 4 (–)
2023 England 9 (–)

Kelsey Clifford (born 11 December 2001) is an English rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Saracens Women in Premiership Women's Rugby, the top-level competition of women's rugby union in England, and for the England national team.[1]

Club career

Clifford began playing rugby in the minis system at Finchley RFC, and subsequently progressed through the Saracens academy pathway. She made her debut for Saracens during the 2019–20 Premier 15s Development League, in their opening round match against Bristol Bears.[2]

After signing a new deal with Saracens, Clifford enjoyed a breakthrough year in the 2021–22 season, becoming a regular figure in the first team. She started at tighthead prop in the play-off final, helping Saracens to a third title as they defeated Exeter Chiefs with a score of 43–21.[3]

International career

Clifford represented England at age-group levels during her teenage years. In 2019, she captained the U18s side to a 39–5 win over Scotland.[4] Later that year, she graduated to the U20s team, going on to make three appearances.

Ahead of the 2023 Women's Six Nations, Clifford received her first call-up to the England senior squad.[5] She won her first international cap on 25 March 2023, as a replacement in England's 58–7 victory against Scotland.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Kelsey Clifford". Saracens. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Kelsey Clifford named in England Women U20s squad". Saracens. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Saracens defeat Exeter Chiefs to reclaim Premier 15s title in front of record crowd". The Independent. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Kelsey Clifford". England Rugby. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Meet the nine uncapped stars in England's TikTok Women's Six Nations squad". Six Nations Rugby. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Women's Six Nations 2023: England 58-7 Scotland - Red Roses score 10 tries in Hunter's last game". BBC Sport. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.