Bryony Cleall leaves Harlequins by ‘mutual agreement’, Emily Scarratt eyes Red Roses return after neck injury

England international Bryony Cleall has been released from her contract at Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby side Harlequins, the club announced on Tuesday.

The prop joined the London club from Wasps in 2022.

Harlequins confirmed that a “mutual agreement” was reached to terminate Cleall’s deal midway through the 2023-24 campaign.

“The club would like to thank Bryony for her work both on and off the pitch and wish her all the best in her future endeavours,” said a club statement.

Cleall made 17 Quins appearances after her former club Wasps were put into administration.

The 31-year-old, who had previous spells with Bristol and Saracens, scored a try on her Red Roses debut against Ireland in 2019.

But despite her international experience and signing a new Quins deal in July, she has moved on.

Harlequins were held to a 19-19 draw by Exeter Chiefs on Saturday and sit sixth in the Allianz PWR standings.

They have a bye week next before travelling to champions Gloucester-Hartpury on Friday, March 8, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

England and Loughborough Lightning star Emily Scarratt is targeting a return to the international fold after making her comeback from injury on Friday.

The 34-year-old centre, a World Cup winner in 2014 and 108-time Red Roses cap holder, spent 13 months on the sidelines after undergoing neck surgery.

But she returned for last week’s 33-17 Allianz PWR defeat against Bristol Bears and is now eyeing a return to England duty ahead of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations.

"It would mean a lot, but I am not trying to think about it too much," Scarratt said to the BBC.

"I am not taking anything for granted. I haven't played for a long time and don't have as many game minutes and training minutes as a lot of the girls.

"Also a lot of them have been playing really well consistently for the last year or so. I would love to get back in an England shirt, but I am not taking anything for granted."

Scarratt was named World Player of the Year in 2019 and was part of eight triumphant Six Nations campaigns with England.

She missed last year’s Grand Slam triumph through injury, as well as the inaugural WXV1 tournament, but she is determined to make up for lost time this year and beyond.

"Hopefully I am fit and back eligible for the Six Nations campaign," she said.

"I love playing for my country and I have been doing so for some many years. I would be lying if I said I don't want to get back in that shirt."

"If I make 2025 we will see where we are at," she added when asked about the next World Cup.

"If it is not 2025, [retirement] won't be a huge amount of time after I don't think."

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