Clifford battling back to top

PROMISING prop Grace Clifford is eager to rip into action after a lenghty spell out of the game.

- By BEN JAYCOCK

The 19-year-old Lough borough Lightning star is currently in camp with England U23s as a transitional Red Roses player having watched on from the sidelines for almost two years.

While her Loughborough and former age-grade teammates such as Lilli Ives Campion have risen to England’s senior side, Clifford shattered her pelvis and then dislocated her hip in a car accident, which required two surgeries - one in January 2024, followed by 10 days in hospital and then a second surgery in August. Clifford then broke her ankle in January, requiring a third surgery that she is still recovering from now.

Clifford is now close to match fitness and returning to her barnstorming form which earned her a transitional contract in 2023 as she targets the U20 Six Nations in July.