Welcome to 'Brighton Breach!'
To celebrate the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 arriving in the city next year, Brighton Beach was re-named ‘Brighton Breach’ for a day, in honour of Sussex’s own and England’s Red Rose, Jess Breach.
Jess, who grew up in Chichester, visited the beach earlier today to meet and inspire some of the city’s young rugby players, and enjoy a unique photo opportunity under the ‘Brighton Breach’ sign bearing her name.
So special
Jess said: “I never thought something would be named after me, but that's what makes it so special. It's really cool, especially with me being from Sussex.
“I played in Brighton when I was young from under 12s to under 15s, so I'm hoping it'll be a good impact for the girls who can play down here in Sussex and hopefully can come to a game and watch us play.”
Joined by Rachael Burford, a member of the Red Roses team that won the World Cup in 2014, and Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sport and Recreation, Jess enjoyed demonstrations from local Impact ’25 women’s rugby teams Hove Rugby Club and Brighton University Women’s Rugby.
Prestigious tournament
Councillor Robins said: “Naming our world famous beach after Jess was a unique and perfect way to welcome her to our city and to promote next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“Hosting this prestigious tournament in Brighton & Hove not only gives us a unique opportunity to showcase the city across the world, but also provides us with a fantastic platform to raise the profile of women’s rugby in the city and encourage many more girls and women to get involved in sport.
“We can’t wait to welcome teams and fans from all over the world to Brighton & Hove next summer.”
Two matches
The tournament will see two matches played at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium featuring the current World Cup title holders New Zealand, as well as England’s Red Roses, who have gone into the tournament as the highest ranking – men’s or women’s – rugby team in history.
The two matches scheduled for Brighton & Hove Community Stadium are:
- Saturday 6 September: England v Australia (kick-off 5pm)
- Sunday 7 September: New Zealand v Ireland (kick-off 2.45pm)
Jess added: “It should be a really big tournament for England as a team but also as a country, allowing us to push women's rugby in the right direction.
"I think you could see it from Euro 2022 with the Lionesses, they had a huge impact having a home tournament and hopefully we can do the same.”
The first first ticket application phase is now open, and fans have until 19 November to apply for tickets to see Jess, the Red Roses and world-class rugby on their doorstep.
With more than 130,000 tickets already sold during the pre-sale phase, they’re certainly hot property!
