Jess Breach came back from the World Cup in New Zealand never wanting to feel the same way again.
Not just because England suffered that agonising 34-31 November defeat by the hosts in the final, but also because she had found herself on the outside looking in.
Determined to develop a pivotal Red Roses role, Breach set to work at Saracens on expanding her game. Dissatisfied with devastating speed and strike running alone, Breach has added extra distribution, kicking and defensive strings.
Now Breach will start England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland in Newcastle on Saturday, buoyed by hard graft at her club and focused on a new Test horizon.
“Coming back from the World Cup, it wasn’t how we wanted it to be as a group, but on a personal level as well, it definitely wasn’t the tournament I’d hoped for myself,” Breach told Standard Sport.
“I definitely hoped I’d be involved more, but I wasn’t, and I had to really reflect on that when I came back. I don’t want to be in that position ever again, especially not the World Cup in 2025. So Sarries have really helped me to gain confidence, to push to be the best player out there that I can be.
“I just want to be a well-rounded player. Obviously people know about my running game, but I want to be able to distribute, kick a ball and to be strong defensively.
Saracens have really helped me to gain confidence, to push to be the best player out there that I can be
“The tournament out in New Zealand and not getting selected more has made me realise I want to be one of the best out there on the pitch. And coming back to Sarries, they’ve definitely helped me gain that confidence and know that I have that ability to be a well-rounded player.
“I think it’s just dedicating more time to it. It’s really refining yourself, being hard on yourself. A loss or a setback makes you think about those things more, so it’s about making sure you get those extra skills sessions in.”
Breach made just one appearance on England’s run to the World Cup final in November, but will start Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland at Newcastle’s Kingston Park. The 24-year-old respects how England look to mix up selection at the start of any new World Cup cycle, in a bid to build strength and depth.
“Coming off the World Cup, it’s important to blood some new people, get some new people in to showcase what they’re about,” she said. “England did exactly the same after the 2017 World Cup, where a lot of us got capped, I got capped in that autumn series.
“I think it is a thing they like to do, because it’s a time for people to come in with no overall pressure. Obviously we’d love to win the Six Nations and a Grand Slam, to give new players an opportunity is as important, and you can see it was successful after 2017.”
England’s record-breaking captain Sarah Hunter will retire after Saturday’s Scotland clash, racking up her 141st and final Test appearance. Head coach Simon Middleton will step down after the Six Nations, so the Red Roses will have his influence for a few more weeks yet. Breach hailed England for working out a way to herald two hugely significant figures as they come to the end of their Test careers.
“I think it was good the coaches who are leaving told us what was going on before we got to camp,” she said. “It allowed us to digest the news and get over it. Everyone wants to give them all a big send-off.”
