logo
Jess Breach ready to complete unfinished business at home World Cup

Jess Breach ready to complete unfinished business at home World Cup

Now 27, the flying winger burst onto the scene at just 20 with six tries on debut against Canada and quickly established herself as one of the best finishers in the game.
However, in New Zealand three years ago, she made just one appearance for England, in a group game against South Africa, missing out to a combination of Lydia Thompson, Abby Dow and Claudia MacDonald in the knockout stages.
As England fell just short to the Black Ferns in the final, Breach had to deal with both collective and individual disappointment but feels she has matured in the three years since.
She said: 'Individually I think I have learned a lot. I think I have grown a lot as a player over the last three years. It was hard, the last World Cup for me personally. But I think this time around, being involved and being with the girls, being on home soil, I think the whole thing will be completely different.
'I think I've learned that me even being a part of the team is way more beneficial than not. I bring other stuff than just my playing ability to the squad which is what I've learned over the last three years. I've adapted and got better as an individual.'
Given some time off after the Grand Slam, Breach took the opportunity to travel before coming back into England's World Cup training camp, part of the 42-player squad gearing up for the global competition.
And now fully fit, she feels she is in position to put her best foot forward ahead of the biggest World Cup to date.
She added: 'I went to Bali. People say you find yourself in Bali, I'm not saying I did that, but I allowed my time to reflect on the seven months I'd been through since WXV, on an injury that I didn't realise would be as serious as it was.
'You have to be your biggest critic. That is really important, I knew I wasn't at my best and now I know I don't want to be in that position. I had to give myself time to process that and my body wasn't ready. It wasn't where it was in WXV, but that is because I'd not had the long period of training. I felt like was catching up but now I feel like we're all on a level playing field.'
Purchase your tickets to the Red Roses v Spain fixture and the Autumn Nations Series at Allianz Stadium https://www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu/
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Don't call him Oliver - the British qualifier aiming to stun Alcaraz
Don't call him Oliver - the British qualifier aiming to stun Alcaraz

BBC News

time11 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Don't call him Oliver - the British qualifier aiming to stun Alcaraz

If you're just hearing about the British underdog who has caught Wimbledon's imagination, then there's one thing he would like you to know - he's Ollie, not Oliver, Tarvet."I usually only get called Oliver when my mum is annoyed at me. So you know, I try to avoid it at all costs," the 21-year-old added that when he heard "Oliver" being shouted from the stands of court four during his first-round victory on Monday, it made him think he had "done something wrong".The fans could be forgiven for not knowing - after all, he is the world number 733 making his Grand Slam he is quickly carving a name for himself and is unfazed by what lies ahead in the second round - namely, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court on Wednesday in front of 15,000 fans. Should the US college student win, it would mark the biggest upset in Wimbledon history. But he is not ruling out his chances, choosing to see it as an opportunity not an experience."I don't really like the word 'experience' because I feel like then you're just there to almost just spectate, you don't really have the expectation to win," he told BBC Sport."And, obviously, I'm not saying that I expect to win. But at the same time I feel like I've been quietly confident this whole tournament and it's got me to where I am."A big thing for me is just playing the ball, not the player." For his father Garry, it is a moment he can scarcely believe."What a mouth-watering prospect," he told BBC Sport."A week of qualifying, a round one win. And this is just too much. It is going to be fun, because Ollie has played in front of big crowds, 700 or 800, maybe 1,000. To go in front of 15,000, that is quite a step up isn't it." 'This kid is incredible' Tennis was not an obvious career choice when Tarvet was young. His mum Jennifer is a teacher and his father is a construction their family home in St Albans was very close to Batchwood Tennis Centre, where he played "five times a week".Tarvet had his first proper tennis lesson when he was six. His memory of that day is a little hazy, but for his first coach, Ben Wood, it is as if it were yesterday."I can just remember thinking 'this kid is incredible' - I couldn't believe it. I've always stood by this, it was the best first impression anyone ever gave me in a first lesson."I kept making the challenge harder and he kept coming up with it. This is like a six-year-old who shouldn't be able to do those things so I was blown away, straight away."A talented footballer and cricketer, Tarvet's focus fully switched to tennis when he was a teenager. He was home-schooled for his A-Levels so he could play full time at the Unique Tennis Academy in cites the programme as "a big stepping stone" in his development."I have a lot of appreciation and gratitude for what those guys did for me," said Tarvet."I wasn't on anyone's radar as a teenager, but they took me in and saw me as one of their own."The improvements he made enabled Tarvet to start seriously thinking about moving towards a professional playing career. Another advert for US college route Rather than going straight into the ATP Tour ranks, Tarvet decided the best option was to learn his craft in American college is studying for a communications and marketing degree at the University of San Diego and said he "owes a lot" to his coaches and team-mates is the latest British player to try the American college system, with others including Cameron Norrie and Jacob why has it become a popular route?"I think players are maturing a bit later," said Mark Hilton, LTA men's national coach. "Careers are lasting longer. And also the competition over there is great. Not many players are ready to play pro tennis at 18 and go to places where not many people watch, and it's financially very difficult as well."So if you can mature and go through that process of three to four years of being in a great programme, good coaches, playing within a team, getting an education - they often come out more mature." Time overseas has been fruitful in developing Tarvet's winning mentality. He earned victories in 23 of 25 matches this year, ranking him inside the top five singles players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) the professional circuit, Tarvet has won five titles on the ITF Tour - the third tier below the ATP and Challenger Tours - including one this year in San NCAA rules mean players are restricted in how much they can claim from professional run through qualifying to the second round means he should be taking home prize money of £99,000 - which would increase to £152,000 if he beats he is only allowed to claim $10,000 (£7,290) in profit every year, as well as any expenses incurred during the events. 'Gareth!' - inside joke shows colourful character Tarvet describes himself as "fiery" on the court and he has showed over the past week he is not afraid to express qualifying week, his shouts of "Gareth!" after winning points were a particular source of amusement - and intrigue.A giggling Tarvet would not divulge the full meaning, but hinted it was a reference to former Wales footballer Gareth Bale."My team-mates were laughing and they were blowing up our group chat because I was saying it," said Tarvet, who supports Liverpool."But [people are] going to have to wonder, I'm sorry. My team-mates were already annoyed at me for how much information I gave out. "It's just the inside joke to keep guys accountable of their decision-making, that's all I'm going to say."

Dan Evans believes aged wisdom key to Wimbledon success
Dan Evans believes aged wisdom key to Wimbledon success

South Wales Argus

time12 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Dan Evans believes aged wisdom key to Wimbledon success

The 35-year-old defeated fellow Brit Jay Clarke 6-1 7-5 6-2 to seal a first win in SW19 for four years, continuing his strong run of form on grass after fine wins at Queen's and Eastbourne in the run-up to Wimbledon. Having turned professional in 2006 and competed at Wimbledon more times than he can count, Evans believes his 19 years' worth of know-how stand him in good stead. "I've said all along, I would love one more," said Evans. "I have some fourth rounds, but my goal was to make the quarters of a Grand Slam. You don't always reach your goals, but I still believe I have a shot. I have experience. There's been matches in Grand Slams where I've not put my mentality on the court or been nervous. It happens to everybody and that could happen on Thursday. "I imagine it won't. I'm looking forward to the occasion. I haven't had the chance to play in any sort of arena like that for a long time. I've been playing qualifiers of the Grand Slams and challenger events. Of course I'm lucky to have been inside the top 50 for x amount of years before that, and I got the experience to play on the big courts. "The difference between your first time out, you don't have the experience about how to prepare, how the day is going to be. I know how it is going to be. I know how I prepare whereas the younger guys or girls, they don't have that experience." Evans was awarded a wild card in the run-up to Wimbledon, where he was one of 23 Brits to compete in the opening round in men's and women's. And having proven that faith justified, Evans has called on his colleagues to leave no stone unturned in doing the same. He added: "Twenty-three players in both is an amazing accomplishment for the LTA. It really shows how they're backing their players. Let's be honest, some of the rankings are not of a wild card in the previous years. "It's amazing that our men and women are getting backed so well but they have to go away now and pay back that faith. Hopefully they think, I want to be here main draw next year than I've got to ask again. "That's what the wild card is for, to use the prize money, to invest it in yourself, not to sit back and rest on our laurels, which has happened in previous years. We're in a great spot at the minute." For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website

Euro 2025 fixtures, results and group tables
Euro 2025 fixtures, results and group tables

The Independent

time17 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Euro 2025 fixtures, results and group tables

England enter Euro 2025 as the holders as the Lionesses look to become European champions for a second time in Switzerland. Sarina Wiegman 's side face a tricky group, with France, Netherlands and European championship debutants Wales all draw in a blockbuster Group D. World champions Spain and record winners Germany will be among the favourites, while Norway and Sweden bring talented squads into the 16-team tournament. England won the Euros on home soil in 2022, before reaching the World Cup final the following year, but the pressure will be on when they face France in their opening game on July 5. Euro 2025 fixtures and results Euro 2025 group tables

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store