IRL World Rankings: England Men could move into second with Ashes Series win this autumn

The latest instalment of the IRL World Rankings has been released and while there was little movement of note up to June 30, 2025, that is set to change with a packed international calendar of men’s, women’s and wheelchair fixtures scheduled for later in the year.

Most notably, England could leapfrog New Zealand into second place in the IRL World Rankings if they win the upcoming ABK Beer Ashes Series against Australia.

The headline event in the international calendar is the highly anticipated first Ashes Series since 2003 between England and Australia, who will play at Wembley on October 25, Everton Stadium on November 1 and Headingley Stadium on November 8.

With over 100,000 tickets already sold for the eagerly anticipated series – and the second and third test completely SOLD OUT - the demand to witness the first test at Wembley is set to continue to build through the summer. 

The Kangaroos remain No.1 in the Men’s IRL World Rankings, along with the Jillaroos, who defeated England Women 90-4 in Las Vegas on March 1, and England Wheelchair.

However, with adjustments for the COVID period in which little international rugby league was played in the Southern Hemisphere having now expired, the margin between the second-placed Kiwis and third-placed England team is narrowing.

With the Kiwis failing to make the final of last year’s Pacific Cup, an Ashes series win could propel England into second spot ahead of the 2026 IRL Rugby League World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

A 3-0 series win, with a big margin in each match, may even lift England to the No.1 ranking.

The Kangaroos will not take part in the 2025 Pacific Championships, with New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga to contest a mouthwatering Pacific Cup and Cook Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea playing for the Pacific Bowl.

Cook Islands will also meet South Africa in Australia and France will host Jamaica in World Cup qualifiers, with the winners advancing to RLWC2026.

Meanwhile, England Women have not dropped from third place in the rankings but have slipped further below Australia and New Zealand after their heavy defeat by the Jillaroos at Allegiant Stadium.

Their next international fixture will be against Wales at The Lextan Gnoll in Neath on August 9 as they prepare for the 2026 world cup.

World champions England Wheelchair will then tour Australia for the first time in six years, facing the fourth ranked Wheelaroos in a two-match Ashes Series in October and November.

Although Australia has never beaten the current number one ranked nation, they have incrementally closed the score margin in each successive game and will be using the tour as a benchmark prior to next year's world cup.

Click here to read the full IRL World Rankings and list of international fixtures taking place across the globe.

Rivalries will be reignited when England take on Australia in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes this autumn. The two nations will meet in a three-match test series over 20 years in the making and with the second and third test completely SOLD OUT; Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 October is your only place to watch this fierce rivalry live!

Book your Wembley tickets here with prices starting from just £20 for adults and £10 for U16’s.