SHE might have seven England caps and a Women's Premiership title to boot, but Poppy Cleall's proudest rugby memory was forged in the colours of Ellingham & Ringwood.

The Alderholt-raised 24-year-old, named among the replacements for the Six Nations opener against France at Twickenham tomorrow (7.35pm), played for the Es from under-seven to under-18 level, save for one year at Salisbury.

And despite her subsequent rise to prominence in the women's game, Bristol Ladies lock Cleall admits winning the national sevens title at under-18 level alongside twin sister Bryony sticks in her mind above all else.

She told the Daily Echo: "It was years ago but I still hold on to it as a big victory in my career. We won the national title so we were both national champions at the same time.

"That just doesn't happen, so it was pretty cool. It was our last year in youth rugby and we had been trying to win it for years.

"We played London Irish in the final and some of the people who we played in that tournament, I'm playing alongside with England right now, and they probably wouldn't even remember it!

"If I told that story to any of the girls who have played for England and won World Cups, their reaction would probably be – 'what?'

"I love Ellingham & Ringwood and am thankful to them for everything they did for me. The club gave me my first experience of big tournaments and there are so many people there who are really passionate about rugby."

A former pupil at The Burgate School and Fordingbridge Junior School, Cleall has yet to earn her first start for the Red Roses but hopes to feature against France.

And Cleall, who is equally adept at second-row and back-row, promised she would carry out her usual pre-match ritual ahead of the clash in front of the Sky cameras.

She said: "I'm going to a game, I like to go with my match socks already on and my kit ready.

"It's mainly so I don't forget them. If I don't have them on, I feel as if I have forgotten them. People are always taking the Mickey out of me because I wear them everywhere I go!"

Cleall and co will take to the field immediately after the men's national team have faced their French counterparts on the same pitch.

"People might think it's silly but I get really excited about warming up," said Cleall.

"You run out to warm up and 80,000 people cheer you on because they are still in the stands. It's insane, you can't even explain it."

She added: "We want to win the championship, which we have not done for five years. But we have a big task ahead of us against France so we have to get past them first before we can think about winning it."

Poole-born Amy Wilson Hardy, who represented Great Britain in the sevens competition at Rio 2016, has been named in the starting line-up.