Harlequins and. England back-row has today confirmed his retirement.
Battling through two major shoulder surgeries following a dislocation while playing for Harlequins in his 100th game for the Club, the 27-year-old brings to an end a career that saw the impressive young flanker lead the England U20 side to a Junior Rugby Championship title in 2013.
The flankee then went onto earn ten senior England caps and playing in two of the national side’s three-match series white wash in Australia in 2016, all in addition to a fourteen-year relationship with the Club, having first linked up with Harlequins at 13.
On confirming his retirement, Clifford said: “I am absolutely gutted to be have to call time on my career at a relatively early stage. I have been at Quins since I was 13 years old and made so many good friends here. It has been an absolute pleasure training and playing with the lads each week and I will miss this environment greatly.
"I feel proud to have reached 100 appearances for Quins and it is ironic that the injury was sustained in my 100th game!” Clifford’s Quins senior career began in November 2012 when he made his debut as a replacement in the 31-30 Anglo-Welsh Cup win over Northampton Saints.
Clifford has captained England at Under 18 and Under 20 level, including England’s victory at the Junior World Championship in 2013. The mobile flanker has also represented England in the Sevens World Series in Japan and Hong Kong in 2014 and not only played but scored for an England XV when playing the Barbarians in May 2015.
A fan favourite during his time for club and country, Clifford’s Test debut came as a replacement for Club captain Chris Robshaw during the 2016 Six Nations, arriving from the bench against Scotland at Murrayfield national coach Eddie Jones’ first game in charge of England.
LIST | 5 wonderkids who could star for England at 2023 Rugby World Cup
1. Josh Hodge
- Current number of caps: 0
- Position: Fullback
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 23
One of England’s most exciting upcoming talents, the fullback is built in the same mould as All Black Damian Mckenzie. Safe under the high ball and blessed with incredible pace, expect him to play a key role f=or Newcastle Falcons on their return to the Premiership. Hopefully he'll then be in a place to make a bid for international honours.
2. Marcus Smith
- Current number of caps: 1
- Position: Fly-half
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 24
Smith's rapid rise shows no signs of slowing down – it took barely a year for him to go from captaining Brighton College in an unbeaten season to involvement in the senior England squad. Therefore, it's not unthinkable that he'll be leading England's bid to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time.
3. Jack Maunder
- Current number of caps: 1
- Position: Scrum-half
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 27
A lot of the English scrum-halves are ageing, meaning this is a direct choice between the Exeter Chiefs man and Ben Vellacott. However, his emergence as a premier playmaker in such a short space of time makes us think he will continue to get better, which will lead to him establishing himself in the England set-up.
4. Joel Kpoku
- Current number of caps: 0
- Position: Lock
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 24
The next star off the Saracens production line may be Kpoku, although the lock has been linked with a move to Northampton Saints due to the presence of Itoje, George Kruis and Nick Isiekwe at his current club. An incredibly hard-hitting carrier in the mould of Eben Etzebeth, a selection in the coming months would not be surprising.
5. Joe Marchant
- Current number of caps: 3
- Position: Centre
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 27
A black belt in karate and also a former England schools finalist in gymnastics which would suggest the centre is blessed with power and poise! Has been involved in Eddie Jones's squad in the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and is someone we'd expect to step up heading into the 2021 Six Nations when he returns from Super Rugby and beyond.
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