Clark matches Leonard’s record

Editor

England prop Rochelle Clark has become England’s joint record appearance holder matching Jason Leonard on 114 caps.

Clark, 35, came off the bench against France in Wednesday’s November Series opener to match the former England prop Leonard.

The Red Roses star made her debut back in 2003 against Canada as a replacement and has gone on to win seven Six Nations Championships and a World Cup in a stellar international career.

"Jason Leonard has been my absolute hero for ages," Clark told the England Rugby website.

"I’ve looked up to him and to match him and potentially overtake him is a huge honour.

"It’s fantastic to achieve the record and it’ll be another cap to me, but every single cap is important."

Clark will beat Leonard’s record on Sunday if she plays against Ireland in Dublin and will match Donna Kennedy’s record as the all-time international women’s appearance holder on 115 caps.

She will then overtake the record of her coach at Worcester Valkyries, Kennedy, if she plays any further part in the series.

"Jason Leonard and Donna Kennedy are two amazing role models," she said.

"It’s a privilege to be coached by Donna at Worcester and if I take her record it would be out of this world!

"They’re two people I know quite well now, but through my career they’ve both been an inspiration to me."