Bow27,

Rape makes a good cover crop for clover - especially in dry weather beacuse it offers shade to the young clover starting out. Mowing tends to thicken the stalk, making it stiffer than if you had let it grow.

As long as you mow rape before it flowers out, it will come back fairly well. Rape is 90% an annual - so for the most part you only have to deal with it the first year of planting.

Remember too, to only plant 1/3-1/2 the normal amount for Rape when planting with clover. To much Rapeseed can crowd out a good clover plot, rather than offer protection.