Fast, fearless, and refreshingly down-to-earth, Jess Breach is more than just a standout on the rugby field, she’s a modern role model (or real model as she likes to say). With her trademark speed and sharp instincts, the England winger has made headlines since her record-breaking debut, but it’s her grounded attitude, and passion that really set Jess apart. We caught up with her from the Rugby World Cup training camp in Italy for a chat about the games she loves, her inspirations and running away with the circus…
Thanks for taking the time to chat to us Jess, how’s the training going? It’s really good, thank you. We’re currently in Treviso in Italy, so it’s nice having some hot weather training and also just being away. It sets your mind differently being in a different environment.
What does a typical day look like for you at the moment? Well, it’s so busy. Lots of training and gym analysis. We have two rugby training sessions a day as well as some gym sessions. So it’s pretty full on, but today, for instance, it’s a recovery day, so I’m completely free to do whatever I want (within reason).
You’ve been recognised as one of the top wingers in the world, something underlined by your performance at the last World Cup. What do you think sets you apart on the pitch? I think what sets me apart on the pitch is my speed and my ability to read the game. I’ve played rugby since I was six, so I know the game inside and out. I think sometimes as an edge player, you get put under the umbrella that you don’t know the game that well. I pride myself on knowing the game and where the space is and I guess just calling my people at my inside to hopefully get the ball there, but I’d definitely say my speed and agility set me apart.
What did you take away from the World Cup in New Zealand, both personally and as part of the England squad and how is that shaping your game plan heading into the next one? I think personally I just want to play more minutes in this World Cup. We obviously want to win the trophy at home. I think we’ve learned a lot from the previous World Cup that we’ve taken into the last three and a half years, leading up to this one. We are in a very different head space and a very different team. Our culture has changed and we all know what we want to go for and I think we’re definitely a one-team environment, which is really important.
How do you handle pressure, especially on an international stage? I think the pressure differs, I have 45 caps, so can tell you every game has its own pressure. But I think if you don’t have pressure, then maybe you’re not enjoying it as much, or you don’t care as much as you think you do.
You have to just turn pressure into your ally, make it a positive and ride it.
When did you first realise rugby could be your career? Was there a lightbulb moment? No, not particularly, I think probably when I was 16-years-old, I thought I would like to play for the Red Roses, but I didn’t think it would ever be my job. We’re in a very fortunate position now that a lot of girls can dream of being a professional rugby player when they’re younger. When I was 18 or 19 around getting my first England cap, that’s when I realised this is what I want to do full-time.
Do you and the other England players have any pre-game rituals or superstitions? I don’t have any. I think it’s quite hard to have a ritual in case something happens you can’t control and then you could potentially think you’re going to have a bad game, which I don’t think is the best mindset to have.
Who inspires you, inside or outside of sport? My parents, and my family inspire me a lot. They’ve driven me to games and supported me throughout my whole career. I’ll always feel pride and honour to put on an England shirt with my family name on the back. That was my biggest inspiration. Aside from that, Jessica Enis-Hill, I did a lot of athletics when I was growing up and she was definitely someone that I aspired to be like.
Do you feel a responsibility as a role model? How do you navigate that? Yeah, for sure. Although as a team we say we are ‘real models’ as opposed to ‘role models’. I think our game allows us to show different attributes as a female, you can be any shape or size. You can be any age and really be good at the sport. I think that’s what’s really important about rugby is that you can join and learn the game and then love it and suddenly be really good. We just want to be reachable for the people that aspire to be like us and that’s what sets us apart from the men. We have that personability.
Where do you see women’s rugby in five-years time and what part do you want to play in that future? I think women’s rugby will just keep pushing on. Hopefully this World Cup sets a really big movement, just like the Lionesses did with their successes. Seeing more girls and women participate in the sport would be incredible and I think if it grows the money will also go up. The enjoyment and the way we are treated is the same. We have an incredible group of staff members, but that’s also taken a lot of time for us to have, like, a nutritionist, which is really important. So I just hope it keeps growing and more and more people play the sport, because personally, obviously I’m biased, but the sport is incredible.
If your teammates had to describe you in three words what would they say? Caring empathetic, and organised.
If you had to give up rugby and join the circus, what would your act be? I’d be a tightrope walker because I’m not scared of anything and life is a balancing act.
How did it feel to have Brighton Beach renamed ‘Brighton Breach’ for a day to celebrate the forthcoming women’s rugby World Cup? I think it’s really cool. I obviously grew up by the beach, only 40-minutes from Brighton and played for Brighton at Brighton Rugby Cup when I was younger. So it’s pretty special having Brighton Beach named after me.
Finally, what advice would you give to any aspiring rugby sports women? My biggest advice would be just enjoy it. I know that sounds mainstream, but I think the more you enjoy it, the more you get out of anything, and if you have a smile on your face, it’s contagious and the people who are around you will also be smiling. I’ve made friends for a lifetime and I get to travel the world with them, so I think it is pretty fun, on the daily basis. It’s brilliant.
The women’s Rugby World Cup commences on August 22nd — opening game England v USA in Sunderland – get the app!
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2025/en
Brighton & Hove is a host city for two Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 matches this September:
- 6th Sept England v Australia
- 7th Sept Ireland v New Zealand
As part of the celebrations, there will be an official fan zone in the city centre where people can soak up the tournament atmosphere, watch matches and take part in a range of sports and activities, for free:
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 fan zone – Victoria Gardens, Marlborough Place, Brighton BN1 1WN (4-7th September)
There will be:
- T1 rugby taster sessions
- Sports/ games and demos
- Craft workshops
- Local food vendors
- Bracelet making, hair braiding and face painting
- Live music and dance performances
- A big screen to watch matches over the weekend
https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/womens-rugby-world-cup-2025
