After a 22-year absence, the famous Ashes series finally returns this autumn. England Head Coach, Shaun Wane, prepares his England squad to face the mighty rivals, Australia, in the upcoming ABK Beer Ashes Series – the first since 2003.
The Ashes series is a historic rugby league rivalry between England and Australia, traditionally contested as a best-of-three series of Test matches – Australia have dominated the last 13 Ashes series, dating back to 1970. It takes its name and format from the cricket series of the same title.
England are hosting the defending world champions, on three consecutive weekends, beginning on 25th October 2025 and ends on the 8th November 2025.
The first test is taking place at Wembley Stadium, in London, with ticket sales already passing 55,000, showing strong demand. The next games are scheduled to be at Everton’s Hill Dickenson Stadium and Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium.
The two sides have not played each other in a competitive match since 2017, when Australia beat England 6-0 in the World Cup Final.
This will be the ultimate challenge, since the ‘Kangaroos’ have a strong team. Amongst their star players are Reece Walsh (fullback), Mark Nawaqanitawase (winger), Gehamat Shibasaki (centre) and Keaon Koloamatangi (bench forward) making their debuts for the Australia squad.
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However, the England team have a mixture of players from the Super League such as England Captain George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Joe Burgess and Mikey Lewis who won the Super League Grand Final this year for Hull KR, after a dominating season for ‘The Robins,’ and standout player Harry Newman from Leeds Rhinos.
Accompanying them on the pitch are Englishmen who ply their trade ‘down under’ such as John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Kai Pearce – Paul (Newcastle Knights), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders) and Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights).
Therefore, England’s squad has a variety of players with bold attacking threats and a mix of youth and experience, which ultimately gives them a chance of making an historic comeback and winning back the Ashes title, after 22 years.
The players departed from DW Stadium, yesterday afternoon with fans from local schools gathering to cheer the players on, getting the opportunity to take pictures and get the players signatures.
Fans also witnessed them do a training session, as well as creating a ‘Guard of Honor,’ to wave them off and wish them a good luck in the upcoming game.
This may have given the England squad a lift team in spirits due to the energy and atmosphere from the crowds, giving them extra momentum for on the road to Wembley.