England manager John Mitchell says Poppy Cleary has “every chance” of playing at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup but will have to cope with the physical challenges of the modern game.
Saracens’ No.8 Clear, 32, was left out of the Red Roses squad for Thursday’s WXV 1 but remains determined to regain his place and add to his 66 caps for the national team ahead of next year’s tournament in England.
With just 30 players selected for England’s title defence in Canada, compared to 32 for the World Cup, Mitchell admitted Cleary had been left out.
“If you had a 32-man World Cup squad, you would have six back-rowers. It’s that simple,” Mitchell said. “Poppy is definitely the six and eight in our mix.
“The game is getting faster and faster and it’s definitely making the physical demands on her to play the way we want to play.
“She still has every chance of making the World Cup squad, but she will have to work harder physically.”
Asked about his conversation with Cleary, Mitchell said: “She said there was still a glimmer of hope that she could go (to the World Cup).
“She has no illusions about what it will take. Physically, the game is getting faster and faster, so she’s going to have to keep up with the demands.
“When you’re an impact player, we can’t afford for that guy to be slow. That guy has to pick up the tempo of the game.
“Right now I’m just marking the number 8 players ahead of her, but it’s difficult because she’s chasing after her.
“That’s the challenge for her. I think we’ve made that as clear as possible. The rest is up to Pops. She’s a good person, and she’s still a good rugby player.
“After all, it’s just one person’s opinion. My opinion. That’s all she has to understand.”
England open WXV 1 against the USA in Vancouver on September 29, before a rematch with New Zealand before a final clash against hosts Canada.
Mitchell, who supports Division 3 play and expects big crowds for games in Canada, said his players “don’t deserve to play in front of no fans”.
The Red Rose’s qualifiers against France and the Black Ferns were played in front of almost 50,000 fans at Kingsholm and the Allianz Stadium combined, and Mitchell believes the union has a responsibility to increase the number of fans watching the women’s game.
“I like the concept,” he said of WXV. “I really like the concept of getting ranked. I think in WXV 3 and WXV 2, you have a chance to compete with teams, win, and do well.
“If we play against New Zealand, France, Canada and our team, it will be a good experience for them, but I think it will be important to gain confidence.
“So, you saw last year’s tournament give Scotland confidence. Ireland obviously grew from it. But more importantly, we have a responsibility to play in front of crowds. You know, France and England are the best at that.
“So, I think the women don’t deserve it. Well, the Red Roses don’t deserve to play in front of a crowd, because, you know, they put out a good product. So, hopefully the game will be well-supported.”
