England’s bid to win the rugby league version of the Ashes for the first time in more than half a century was dealt a sobering blow following a 26-6 defeat by Australia at Wembley Stadium.
In the opening match of the three-Test series, Reece Walsh scored the first of four Australia tries after 22 minutes. Angus Crichton crossed over shortly after half-time before he completed his brace with 15 minutes left.
The impressive Walsh then landed his second try in the closing stages, while Nathan Cleary converted four conversions and one penalty. Daryl Clark's converted try in the 76th minute provided nothing more than a consolation for England on a dominant afternoon for the Kangaroos.
The two teams will lock horns again at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday before the concluding fixture in Headingley on 8 November.
Relive all the action with our live blog below:
England v Australia - first rugby league Ashes Test live updates
- England thrashed 26-6 by Australia at Wembley in first rugby league Ashes Test for 22 years
- REPORT: Reece Walsh lights up Wembley as Australia script familiar Ashes story
- 77' - TRY! Clark snipes from dummy half and gets a consolation England try (ENG 6-26 AUS)
- 72' - TRY! Walsh glides over for his second try of the day (ENG 0-26 AUS)
- 66' - TRY! Crichton over again after Munster brilliance (ENG 0-20 AUS)
- 46' - TRY! Crichton drifts through for a second Australian try (ENG 0-14 AUS)
- 23' - TRY! Walsh finishes off a neat Australian move for the opening try (ENG 0-6 AUS)
Reece Walsh lights up Wembley as Australia script familiar Ashes story
16:36 , Luke BakerMuch has changed in the 22 years since the last Ashes series but some things remain the same. More than two decades England had waited for this chance to test themselves against the world’s best and while there are two more clashes to come in which Shaun Wane’s men will hope to hit back, there can be no disputing that Australia remain exactly that.
This was an imperfect performance in many ways from the world champion Kangaroos and yet still a chasm gaped between the two teams – if England are to win a first Ashes since 1973, then they must find a level beyond that which they were capable of here.
The long wait for an Ashes return has much to do with Australian ambivalence towards the international game and while this game crackled and fizzed with an intensity befitting a fine occasion, this was not perhaps a colossal contest of the kind more regularly sighted during the State of Origin series nor upper echelons of the NRL.
A crowd of 60,812 lapped up a welcome comeback but England struggled to make much imprint on their opposition and failed to do so at all on the scoreboard until four minutes from time, dispiriting those harbouring hopes of a home series success.
Read the full report from Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley:
Reece Walsh lights up Wembley as Australia script familiar Ashes story
Angus Crichton: 'We were really scrappy'
16:29 , Luke BakerDouble try scorer Angus Crichton spoke to BBC One after that and reckons there’s still room for improvement for Australia,
“It’s exciting! It was cool to come out here at Wembley in front of a good crowd.
"We were really scrappy, but what I did like was our gritty attitude. We worked hard for each other.
"I should have had more [tries] if I wasn't headbutting the ball. It is always nice to get across the line."
On visiting the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the second Test next week: "They will be mad. They will be a bit more rogue than these guys."
FULL-TIME! England 6-26 Australia
16:22 , Luke BakerAnd there’s the hooter. England lose the first Ashes Test for 22 years as Australia completely dominate at Wembley.
Two tries apiece for the excellent Reece Walsh and Angus Crichton. England had chances but were profligate - they’ll need to be tighter in attack, although Daryl Clark did score a late consolation try.
Plenty to ponder ahead of the second Test at Everton next weekend
'A dispiriting day for England fans'
16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle at WembleyMore from Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley
“There are a good number heading for the exits already, but a few filing out halted their charge to see if that fracas became any more.
“Tensions calmed, seemingly, the fans are safe to leave - indeed, those that remain are rather more interested in paper aeroplanes that are being tossed around the concourses. A dispiriting day for any England fans, one would suggest”
TRY! England 6-26 Australia (Daryl Clark, 77 mins)
16:16 , Luke BakerAnd there's the breakthrough! England have their consolation score! They've been deep in Australian territory for a lot of the last 10 minutes and now have a try.
Knowles runs it up and then, from dummy half, Daryl Clark has a snipe, rides a tackle and stretches out for the try. Something for England to build on for the second Test.
England 0-26 Australia, 75 mins
16:14 , Luke BakerEngland penalty for being taken out off the ball and this is the chance to get a try at last.
TRY! England 0-26 Australia (Reece Walsh, 72 mins)
16:09 , Luke BakerI fear we have entered rout territory now. Reece Walsh with his second try and Australia’s fourth.
It’s just ruthlessly efficient from the Kangaroos. The spine of their team combine for a clinical try - Grant to Cleary to Walsh and the full back glides over the line.
The Aussie full back has been immense today. Cleary then immaculate from the tee again
'An attendance not to be sniffed at'
16:06 , Luke BakerHarry Latham-Coyle at Wembley has discussed today’s attendance.
"An official crowd of 60,812 here at Wembley - the top tier is totally empty and there are a few scattered empty seats around the place, so that perhaps feels a touch generous. By comparison, the Challenge Cup final here this year drew a crowd of 63,278.
“Still, not to be sniffed at in a city that hasn't always warmed to this sport - although the relaunched London Broncos are trying to change that under the leadership of Kangaroos legend Darren Lockyer"
England 0-20 Australia, 69 mins
16:04 , Luke BakerEngland penalty as Australia pinged for a lack of balance and control, which they challenge but it’s inconclusive so the call stands.
A set of six in the Australia 10. Need to score this time... Pierce-Paul drifts right but there’s no hole in the green and gold line.
Williams pops inside to Farnworth but the door shut again. Final tackle and England score! No they don’t!
Williams offloads out of the tackle to Lewis and he stretches to dot down for the try but the referee rules that the tackle was completed. Gutting. Australia survive.
TRY! England 0-20 Australia (Angus Crichton, 66 mins)
16:01 , Luke BakerGame, set and match Australia. It’s Angus Crichton again as he gets his second try.
But Cameron Munster is the architect. Good flat pass by Cleary to Munster, who throwas a hard dummy outside and the shifts a pass inside to Crichton on the charge, who runs a great line between defenders and cruises over the line. Lovely play.
Conversion added and England are getting blown away here.
England 0-14 Australia, 62 mins
15:57 , Luke BakerMore good territory for England. Running a six deep in Australian territroy. They go side to side but the green and gold wall is holding firm.
They chip on the sixth tackle, claim the ball, grubber kick through but superb hands from Nawaqanitawase to pluck it cleanly from the floor, then powers through a couple of tackles and steps inside another to get some breathing space. Another chance slips away for the hosts.
'We haven't seen enough of Mikey Lewis as a creator'
15:54 , Luke BakerMore from Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley
“A bit of a lull in proceedings at Wembley, with a few of the more ardent, disappointed England fans making themselves heard above the brass band as they gamely toot away.
“Shaun Wane's side need a spark - we haven't really seen enough of Mikey Lewis as a creator, though he's not really been afforded the territory to truly go to work”
England 0-14 Australia, 55 mins
15:50 , Luke BakerGrrrr. This is so frustrating again by England. Into the Australian 10 and they spill the ball - the story of the game.
Walsh, who has been a class above everyone on the field, then steps through a tackle and races away. He seems to fall without contact on halfway, although had a man in pursuit, and is slow to get up after that. Hopefully he’s ok.
England then have to deal with a goal-line dropout and it’s poor from Lewis, short of the required 10 metres but the ball bounces forward, just over the line and Dom Young grabs it! He’s been England’s best player, Young, and saves the day again.
England 0-14 Australia, 52 mins
15:46 , Luke BakerClass by Jez Litten! Early in the tackle count, he uses the boot to fizz a glorious 40/20 into touch.
England with a set of six right in Australian territory.
England 0-14 Australia, 50 mins
15:45 , Luke BakerA promising attacking moment from England again as they spread right and Dom Young charges down the flank. He’s hugging the touchline and tries to offload inside but it’s forward before bouncing off the head of an Australian defender.
The execution isn’t quite there in attack for England at the moment
'Shoddy defence from England'
15:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle at WembleyMore from Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley after that try
“That was pretty shoddy defensively from England, sitting off expecting the kick on the last tackle and just allowing Angus Crichton to stride away.
“You do fear that if Australia find their fluency in this half, they could power away given the talent at their disposal.
“There are plenty of Kangaroos fans at Wembley, with a good proportion of them wearing their NRL colours – regardless of their club allegiance, mind, they loved that score from the Sydney Rooster."
TRY! England 0-14 Australia (Angus Crichton, 46 mins)
15:41 , Luke BakerThat could be a hammer blow for England. In truth, it’s far too easy for Australia.
They run a couple of plays and then shift the ball left through Cameron Munster. Angus Crichton drifts forward, powers through the inside shoulder of Walmsley and then just keeps going. Welsby backs off, seemingly covering the pass that never comes and by the time he tries to stop Crichton, he’s at the line and can dive over.
Good conversion by Cleary and the lead is suddenly three scores.
'A frustrating half for England'
15:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle at WembleyHere’s the latest from Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley
"A frustrating half for England, in many ways, unable to take the two big chances they created with Reece Walsh's intelligent intervention as the last defender denying what seemed a certain score and then Tom Johnstone's in-field kick just evading Mikey Lewis after the visitors had been broken open again.
“But they've coughed up possession a little too regularly, you'd say, allowing even a slightly clunky Australia enough chances to threaten - and Walsh has been quite outstanding, effervescent in attack and defence and niggling off the ball, too.
“I'm not quite sure how he wasn't penalised for hauling Herbie Farnworth to the floor off the ball - but Australia have perhaps showed their experience in engaging in some smart gamesmanship at times."
KICK-OFF! England 0-8 Australia
15:37 , Luke BakerBack underway at Wembley. A frantic start to the second half as it’s back and forth and Walsh makes a great break for Australia.
But the English scramble defence stops him.
WATCH: Reece Walsh scores only try of first half
15:22 , Luke BakerHere’s that Reece Walsh try for Australia. Swan dive and all
The swan dive finish from Reece Walsh 🦢✨
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 25, 2025
Australia open the scoring against England 🇦🇺🙌 pic.twitter.com/9QuqcNnr3a
HALF-TIME! England 0-8 Australia
15:21 , Luke BakerEngland have had their chances in what was quite a scratchy first half from both sides. But they’ve spurned them.
And a Reece Walsh try, finished with his trademark swan dive, and a Nathan Cleary penalty, have the Kangaroos 8-0 ahead.
PENALTY! England 0-8 Australia (Nathan Cleary, 40 mins)
15:18 , Luke BakerFrustrating for England just before the break. Patrick Carrigan with the half-break for Australia and offloads inside to Reece Walsh. Walsh clearly being held back and tackled before he gets to the ball though. Penalty to the Kangaroos.
They’ll have a kick at goal through Nathan Cleary to try and add two more points... Bang in front, mid-distance. It’s there! The lead is two scores now.
CLOSE! England 0-6 Australia, 39 mins
15:15 , Luke BakerSO CLOSE! Nearly a try for England. Great work down their left, quick hands from Williams and Wardle. Ethan Havard with space on the flank and arrows a kick in behind the defence.
Jack Welsby leads the chase but the ball JUST bounces dead before he can get there to touch down for the try.
England 0-6 Australia, 38 mins
15:14 , Luke BakerCameron Munster chips over the top in the England half and Josh Addo-Carr collides with Dom Young in the air. The ball goes loose and Australia collect and go in for the score. But it’s quickly ruled out - Addo-Carr got there early, so it’s a n England penalty.
They kick up towards halfway to begin the next set.
England 0-6 Australia, 37 mins
15:12 , Luke BakerEngland playing in the right areas now. A set of six in the Australian half and they’re clean this time. On the fourth tackle, Williams pokes a kick through that goes in-goal with men in pursuit but good defence by Cleary who races back and kicks it dead.
Goal-line dropout for the Aussies and they go short. Johnstone and Nawaqanitawase leap for the ball. Gone forward off Johnstone so an Australian scrum.
England 0-6 Australia, 33 mins
15:08 , Luke BakerNow the crowd are into this! England surge forward and quick hands give Jake Wardle a chance to break the line, steps past one man with a dummy and the Aussies are reeling. hey recycle and earn a new set of six.
Alex Walmsley powerfully carries to within a couple of metres of the line! They spread the ball and Welsby crunched on the 10 by Addo-Carr. Then another loose pass sets them back 15 metres.
They salvage the set and at least pin the Kangaroos deep.
England 0-6 Australia, 30 mins
15:04 , Luke BakerNearly try number two for Australia! Nawaqanitawase with the break again and his pass inside bounces to Cleary. But he stumbles and England scramble back to make the tackle.
The ball then goes loose, bounces off an England hand, new set of six for the Kangaroos but Farnworth nails a tackle to knock them back 15 metres. And then a back-of-the-hand offload as they enter the 10 is knocked on. The hosts survive! Just...
England 0-6 Australia, 27 mins
15:02 , Luke BakerEngland win a turnover and have good field position again but their end-of-set play in Aussie territory lets them down again. It’s a loose pass that Wardle juggles and does well to hold but he’s right by the touchline and is tackled into touch. Good fundamentals by the Kangaroos.
England 0-6 Australia, 25 mins
15:00 , Luke BakerA hush has descended over Wembley after that Australian hammer blow. The crowd need something to spark them.
Some bad news for Australia - Isaah Yeo has failed his HIA, so will be out of the rest of this game and next week’s as well. The Kangaroos skipper will be a big miss
TRY! England 0-6 Australia (Reece Walsh, 23 mins)
14:58 , Luke BakerAustralia hit the front! A great kick by Mikey Lewis gives England some reprieve as he boots it 50 metres, deep into Aussie territory but the England defence is starting to bend here...
The ball is spread to the right as Nawaqanitawase gets a half-break outside, gets an arm free and pops inside to Kotoni Staggs, he draws the final man and passes to, who else, Reece Walsh who streaks towards the line and does his patented swan-dive for the try! Chris Ashton eat your heart out!
We have a TMO check to see if Hudson Young impeded a tackler off the ball but it’s cleared and the try stands! Simple conversion added.
England 0-0 Australia, 22 mins
14:54 , Luke BakerHeads-up play by Dom Young! Australia kick on the final tackle, Addo-Carr looks set to beat Young on the leap, so the Englishman doesn’t contest and tackles his Australian opponent once he catches the ball. Wraps him up for the final tackle and a handover.
England make good ground on their six before Johnstone with a superb tackle. But Australia kick early and pin England back in their own 10! The Kangaroos are starting to win the field position battle...
England 0-0 Australia, 18 mins
14:50 , Luke BakerNo they can’t... Knowles passes to Matty Lees and he knocks on when tackled by Reuben Cotter, who hits under the ball and dislodges it.
England can’t keep wasting these chances against a side as good as the Kangaroos.
England 0-0 Australia, 16 mins
14:49 , Luke BakerFull back Walsh is at the heart of everything Australia are doing. Jinking and probing. The Kangaroos only make about 20 metres on that set of six though, put up another high ball and Johnstone again does superbly to claim cleanly in the air.
Dom Young has been England’s best carrier so far, always getting his team on the front foot. Powerful stuff from the Newcastle Knights man, who had a quiet season in the NRL.
And then sarcastic cheers from the home crowd as Walsh’s pass is behind Josh Addo-Carr and it bounces into touch. More good field position for England... Can they capitalise?
England 0-0 Australia, 13 mins
14:46 , Luke BakerEngland waste another chance as they knock on in Australian territory. Then a glorious dummy by Walsh sees him slip through for a half-break in response. The Australian set of six ends with a testing catch under the high ball for Tom Johnstone, a test he passes with flying colours. Good take.
And then England win a penalty on the Australian 22! Walsh looks annoyed - mistake as he doesn’t stay on his feet when tapping back after a tackle.
The Kangaroos challenge the ruling of no balance and control. And it gets overturned! Bateman ruled to have pushed Walsh down, that’s why he lost balance. So an Aussie penalty instead and they’ll start the latest set of six in the England half.
England 0-0 Australia, 9 mins
14:42 , Luke BakerThe Australians going sideways in attack so far - superb defensive discipline by England. They haven’t really had ball in hand in the English half yet.
Superb carry from Dom Young, who powers through an Isaah Yeo tackle, gets England on the front foot and George Williams with a clever grubber through finds Herbie Farnworth. The English NRL star’s pass nearly sends England away but Reece Walsh manages to intercept. Will be a new set of six for England in Kangaroo territory though.
Yeo off for an HIA after getting clattered in that attempted tackle.
England 0-0 Australia, 7 mins
14:38 , Luke BakerWilliams, to Welsby, to Farnworth and England crash into the Aussie 22. But Morgan Knowles spills in contact, trying to find Mikey Lewis with the offload. Chance gone for the hosts
England 0-0 Australia, 5 mins
14:36 , Luke BakerA first bit of noise from the crowd as Jack Welsby runs left and finds a little space before being stopped. Ooof! Big hit from the Australia defence although Dom Young does well with the next carry to get England on the front-foot once more.
John Bateman with a nice tackle early in the next Australian set and then the defensive intensity pays off! Mistake from the Kangaroos as Jake Wardle comes in on the tackle and Hudson Young spills forward. English scrum on halfway - their best starting field position
England 0-0 Australia, 3 mins
14:34 , Luke BakerNathan Cleary kicks on the final tackle of the first set and a decent kick chase from Australia. Kai Pearce-Paul with a solid hit-up but Lewis forced to kick deep.
Was that going dead? Mark Nawaqanitawase wasn’t sure so makes the catch near his own line. Cagey start
KICK-OFF! England v Australia
14:32 , Luke BakerAfter 22 years of waiting, we have a rugby league Ashes Test once more!
Mikey Lewis kicks off and it’s a good opening defensive set of six for England, keeping the Kangaroos pinned in their own half
England v Australia
14:26 , Luke BakerAustralia are out on to the Wembley pitch very early and England trot down the tunnel a few minutes later.
To be honest, the crowd looks a little sparse. I’m not convinced the promised 60,000 spectators are there but we’ll see. Anthems upcoming
Ben Stokes offers words of wisdom
14:21 , Luke BakerSome cross-sport love. Before he heads down to Australia to captain England for their own Ashes, cricket star Ben Stokes spoke to his rugby league counterparts this week.
Stokes is desperate to see the Aussies turned over.
🏴 “I’d love nothing more to see you boys turn them over!”
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 25, 2025
🤝 Thanks for coming @benstokes38 #EnglandRL pic.twitter.com/9vCJprNhNj
England team news
14:15 , Luke BakerSo, we now know the England starting line-up and interchanges for today, with Shaun Wane initially just naming his 19-man matchday squad on Thursday.
As expected, Mikey Lewis starts at scrum half, alongside captain George Williams, while surprise call-up Alex Walmsley is among the interchanges
Starting XIII: 1. Jack Welsby, 2. Dom Young, 3. Herbie Farnworth, 4. Jake Wardle, 5. Tom Johnstone, 6. George Williams, 7. Mikey Lewis, 8. Ethan Havard, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Matty Lees, 11. John Bateman, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Morgan Knowles
Interchanges: 14. Jez Litten, 15. Alex Walmsley, 16. Owen Trout, 17. Mike McMeeken
🔒 Locked in for the Opening @ABKbeer Rugby League Ashes Test!
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 25, 2025
🏴 #EnglandRL pic.twitter.com/gztaNExY5K
Alex Walmsley aims to make most of unlikely England recall and targets Ashes win
14:06 , Luke BakerAlex Walmsley is determined to make the most of his unlikely England recall and play a part in an historic Ashes series win over Australia.
Having not played international rugby since 2021, the 35-year-old St Helens forward thought his chance had gone before a surprise chat with England head coach Shaun Wane led to his inclusion in the squad for the eagerly-awaited three-match series.
Walmsley made the cut for Wane’s final squad of 19 on Thursday.
“To be honest, I thought my international career was well and truly done and I think other people thought that as well, judging by the reaction to the squad announcement,” admitted Walmsley.
“But we’re here now and I want to make sure I make the absolute most of the next few weeks and enjoy every minute I can in camp, make sure I enjoy what is probably going to be my last international campaign.”
Alex Walmsley aims to make most of unlikely England recall and targets Ashes win
Last time they met: Australia win the World Cup
13:56 , Luke BakerRemarkably, England haven’t faced Australia since the 2017 World Cup final, when the Kangaroos triumphed 6-0 in a tense affair in Brisbane.
Australia have won nine of the last 10 World Cups but England came close to beating them that day, with Boyd Cordner scoring the only try of the match but Kallum Watkins coming agonisingly close to doing so for England when he broke through the line and only an incredible ankle-tap tackle from Josh Dugan stopped him. What might have been...
England captain George Williams relishing chance to end long Ashes heartache
13:46 , Luke BakerShaun Wane was five years old the last time a British team deprived Australia of the rugby league Ashes, which illustrates the size of the task facing his England side at Wembley as they begin their daunting quest to make up for almost a lifetime of hurt.
The head coach has spoken all week of the danger of underestimating his England side but the statistics are all too evident: the last time they – then Great Britain – raised the famous trophy was with a 28-7 win in the decisive third match in Sydney in 1970, thanks to a match-winning try from Roger Millward.
“I dreamt of playing in games like this as a kid,” said captain George Williams, the Warrington half-back who has won two Super League Grand Finals, a World Club Challenge and a Challenge Cup title, but is clear where he would rank a history-making moment against the Australians.
Williams added: “I’ve been fortunate enough to win Grand Finals but this feels a little bit more special. If we could get this Ashes series win, it would 100 per cent top my Grand Final wins. It would be a great stepping stone and give us a lot of belief to go on and win the World Cup.”
England captain George Williams relishing chance to end long Ashes heartache
Ashes captures the imagination with impressive ticket sales
13:36 , Luke BakerTicket sales for this three-match Ashes series have been really strong.
The third Test at the 19,700-capacity Headingley predictably sold out during the pre-sale period but the Rugby Football League (RFL) must have been delighted to see their gamble of going to the Hill Dickinson Stadium pay off so spectacularly, as Everton’s new 52,769-capacity ground sold out within hours of tickets going on general sale.
Wembley will kick things off today and ticket sales were a shade slower there but the London fanbase have helped that number climb steadily over the past few months. The biggest rugby league Ashes crowd in UK history is 57,034 and by Thursday, that number had been surpassed by tickets sold for the 2025 opener.
The record attendance for an England rugby league international, of 67,545 against New Zealand at Wembley in the 2013 World Cup semi-finals, will likely remain but clearing 60,000 fans in London today now seems a nigh-on certainty. More than 130,000 tickets sold for the series as a whole is a fantastic return.
Australian dominance of the Ashes
13:26 , Luke BakerThere’s no doubt that Australia have dominated this fixture - and rugby league as a whole - over the decades.
The Kangaroos racked up a record 13 straight Ashes series wins between 1973 and 2003 (albeit the majority by just a 2-1 scoreline), meaning 1970 remains the most recent Great Britain triumph and 1959 was the last British series victory on home soil.
GB’s most recent victory in an individual match against the Kangaroos was during the 2006 Tri-Nations in Sydney, while the England brand have lost 13 straight matches to the men in green and gold since an Andy Farrell and Jason Robinson-inspired win in the opening fixture of the 1995 World Cup.
All this is to say it would be a huge success if Shaun Wane’s current England side could win just one of the upcoming three Tests.
Shaun Wane promises 'smash-up' in much-delayed Ashes
13:15 , Luke BakerEngland head coach Shaun Wane has been waiting five years for a “smash-up” with Australia and is relishing the role of underdogs ahead of the first of three long-awaited Ashes Tests.
Wane took the England role in February 2020 but a mooted series later that year was abandoned due to the Covid pandemic and the 61-year-old has been counting down the days to get another crack at the Kangaroos.
Speaking at the series launch event in London on Tuesday, Wane said: “I took the job in 2020 and this was the first thing I saw, the Ashes series. Obviously that got cancelled and I was absolutely wounded. The chance to play against the best team in the world in an iconic stadium like this, it’s got the makings of a fantastic day.
“It would be good to stick it to the doubters. I’m not on social media but I know a lot of stuff has been said.
“They’re going to be physical with us and we’ll be physical with them. It’s going to be a smash-up and the best team will come out in the end. I hope it’s us.
England face Ashes mountain but international rugby league set for long-awaited shot in the arm
13:06 , Luke BakerWith 2025 winding down, England head into an Ashes series against Australia as big underdogs, hopeful of making history but understanding the monumental challenge that lies ahead.
A sentence that could easily be talking about the men’s cricket team soon to be flying Down Under but in fact applies to the men’s rugby league side facing an even bigger task after 22 years of waiting.
Not since 2003, the same year that Jonny Wilkinson was breaking Wallaby hearts with his dramatic drop goal in rugby’s other code, has rugby league seen the Ashes contested. This three-match series, starting at Wembley today, is long overdue.
Read a full preview of this afternoon’s clash at Wembley:
England face Ashes mountain but international rugby league set for shot in the arm
Australia team news
12:55 , Luke BakerReece Walsh has won the battle to be named as Australia’s starting full-back after a stellar display for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL Grand Final against Melbourne Storm earlier this month.
Walsh, who will replace Dylan Edwards, is one of three starting debutants along with Gehamat Shibasaki, who scored two tries for the Broncos in the final, and Sydney Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase – the former rugby union star who is expected to return to the 15-man code ahead of a home World Cup in 2027. Keaon Koloamatangi will start on the bench.
Australia team: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Isaah Yeo (captain)
Interchanges: 14. Tom Dearden, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Keaon Koloamatangi
England team news
12:49 , Luke BakerShaun Wane named England's 19-man matchday squad on Thursday – although we will have to wait for their starting 13 and interchanges – and Hull KR scrum half Mikey Lewis was included, suggesting he will start alongside captain George Williams in the half-back roles, with main competitor, Wigan's Harry Smith, left out of the party.
Another Hull KR star, Jez Litten, has also made the matchday squad, putting him in line to make his first England appearance since 2023, although club-mate Joe Burgess, who was in the wider squad for the first time in 10 years, misses out.
AJ Brimson, who switched international allegiance from Australia earlier this year, and Leigh forward Owen Trout are in line for international debuts, while St Helens forward Alex Walmsley could make his first England appearance since 2021.
England squad: John Bateman, AJ Brimson, Daryl Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Ethan Havard, Tom Johnstone, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, Mike McMeeken, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul, Owen Trout, Alex Walmsley, Jake Wardle, Jack Welsby, George Williams, Dom Young
How to watch England v Australia
12:43 , Luke BakerThe first Ashes Test will take place at Wembley Stadium, London, and kicks off at 2:30pm BST on Saturday 25 October.
In the UK, the match will be shown live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with coverage getting underway at 2pm. Coverage will be presented by the imperious Mark Chapman.
Everything you need to know about England v Australia
12:43 , Luke BakerEngland and Australia will finally renew their rivalry at Wembley Stadium this afternoon with a first Ashes Test in rugby league for 22 years.
Not since 2003, when Australia downed Great Britain 3-0, has the rugby league Ashes been contested but now England have picked up the GB mantle and a three-Test series will finally take place between the old rivals at Wembley, Everton’s brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium and Headingley.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Are the rugby league Ashes on TV? How to watch England v Australia for free
England v Australia - Ashes first Test
12:41 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of England v Australia in the first rugby league Ashes Test for 22 years.
It’s a special day for the sport at Wembley Stadium so stick with us for full live coverage
