Back-three depth has become England’s super strength

Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach (right) form two members of the best back three in world rugbyOf all the areas where England have stepped up a level in the John Mitchell era, their back-three fluidity is perhaps the most obvious.

If the Red Roses were once inhibited by their dependency on the set-piece, Mitchell’s reign has brought free-flowing attacking flair – and at the heart of it have been Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Jess Breach.

The trio were responsible for 32 of the 75 tries the Red Roses scored in 2024. It is a frightening, mind-boggling statistic – one that comfortably puts the trio among the most potent back threes in rugby, men’s or women’s.

There are several ingredients which make…