Breach out to prove she is more than just the Jess Express against Australia

Jess Breach wants to prove she offers more than pure speed as she prepares to make her 50th England appearance against Australia.

Teammate Abby Dow and New Zealand’s Portia Woodman-Wickliffe were being pitched as the world’s best wingers when this Rugby World Cup began, but a case can also be made for Breach, who has scored five tries in the opening two games to take her international tally to 52.

Breach made a flying start to her England career, with 11 tries in her first two appearances. Her debut against Canada eight years ago was some match: Breach crossed six times as she made her Red Roses bow alongside Ellie Kildunne and Dow – a back three that still forms the foundation of England’s attacking threat.

“When I first came in, I was seen as that fast player, I just had raw speed,” said Saracens back Breach, who remarkably has never lost in her England career.

50 Up! 🔥

Jess Breach will reach an amazing 50 caps for England this weekend! 👏#PWR #RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/dz3hIKi8Ht

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) September 4, 2025

“I had played rugby since I was six, I knew the game. But I’ve definitely had to develop, like passing and kicking. I’m a rounded player now and maybe that’s where the strike rate has come from.

“I was involved when we lost the 2022 final, but obviously not in the team, so you still have that heartbreak – you know what it feels like. I think it’s an incredible achievement to hopefully reach 50 caps with no losses.”

Coach John Mitchell has again rung the changes for the clash with the Wallaroos, with qualification from the group already secured.

The Red Roses have won all seven of their meetings with the Australians, including a 42–7 humbling in their last encounter two years ago.

Alex Matthews will deputise for regular captain Zoe Aldcroft, while there are 13 changes from the rotated side that piled on points and records against Samoa last weekend, with only Breach and Meg Jones retained.

Shale Sharks fly-half Holly Aitchison, the only player yet to feature, is set to make her first appearance off the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.

“Jess has a unique way of playing the game - she only needs a small amount of space and she'll burn you," said Mitchell.

"What you don’t see is how much she brings people together within the group. She keeps a very good balance between on and off the field, and that’s what makes her so special.

50 caps for Jess Breach! 🔥

The Red Roses announce their team to take on Australia in Brighton! 🌹

Read more here: https://t.co/poZYigvtR9#PWR #RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/GXHzhL0K8V

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) September 4, 2025

Mitchell also defended the decision to award Gloucester-Hartbury back row Matthews the captaincy ahead of Jones, who has been a stand-out performer in the wins over the USA and Samoa.

“Megan is a brilliant vice-captain, but there are no automatic rights to the captaincy,” he said.

“Just because you are vice-captain doesn’t mean you get the role. Alex is one of the best number eights in the world, and she has demonstrated excellence over a long period of time. I love leaders that others can follow and emulate through their actions.”

Matthews, though, is happy to seize her chance with Aldcroft reportedly making good progress in the recovery from a knee injury picked up on opening night against the USA in Sunderland.

“I actually punched him," she joked. "I was taken aback; it’s pretty cool, especially in a World Cup.

"We have a phenomenal leadership group here, I spoke to Abby (Dow) and told her I wasn’t sure if being captain was really me, but she reassured me it is – and that there is enough of us around to support.”

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