England star Jess Breach will make a highly-anticipated return when Harlequins Women take on Wasps Women at Twickenham in this year’s Big Game 13 on Monday.
The 24-year-old spent five months out with an ankle injury earlier in 2021, and then broke her back in training just two matches after returning.
Following a month of intense rehab, Breach was back in training towards the end of November as she looked to make a quick return.
Now the Red Roses star is back to full fitness and is looking forward to getting back into match action this Christmas weekend in a double header featuring both the women’s and men’s Quins teams.
Breach has played 19 times for her country, scoring six tries on her debut against Canada four years ago and proving an integral part of the international side ever since.
And she will be looking for valuable minutes ahead of next April’s Women’s Six Nations and the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next October.
However, focus will be on the Premier 15s for now, with Quins facing a tougher campaign in the 2021-22 season than they have in the past.
Harlequins and Saracens Women have won the event’s first three seasons between them with Quins winning the title last season.
They find themselves fourth this season, with Bristol Bears Women in first position, and Wasps Women could leapfrog them in the table if they prevail at Twickenham on Monday’s 14.15pm kick-off.
Breach hopes her return provides a welcome boost for Quins, in what is the first competitive fixture at Twickenham for Harlequins Women.
She said: “The Big Game is a huge occasion. For me to make my return will be even more exciting. It’s been a long time coming.”
