England Head Coach Shaun Wane has named his 24-player squad for the historic return of the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes this autumn.
Following two tries in this past weekend’s Betfred Super League Grand Final, the Hull KR wing Joe Burgess returns to the England side for the first time since 2015 accompanied by Rob Burrow Award winner Mikey Lewis and fellow treble-winning Robin Jez Litten.
AJ Brimson of Gold Coast Titans is selected after successfully applying to change his international eligibility to England earlier this year through his mother’s English heritage. Brimson scored 12 tries in 23 NRL appearances in 2025.
Elsewhere from the NRL, Newcastle Knights duo Dom Young and Kai Pearce-Paul are included, mercurial Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, North Queensland’s John Bateman and Morgan Smithies who lifted the Minor Premiership with Canberra Raiders.
Owen Trout’s form for Leigh Leopards in 2025 is rewarded as he could make his England debut in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes.
Kallum Watkins and Alex Walmsley both return to the England squad after spells away from the international game. Watkins last featured in the Rugby League World Cup defeat against Samoa whilst Walmsley’s most recent international outing came in a 30-10 victory over France in October 2021.
St Helens boast the highest representation with five players whilst Betfred Super League runners-up Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos join Hull KR in having three players named. Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone are included from Wakefield Trinity whilst Captain George Williams is Warrington Wolves’ sole representative.
Head Coach Shaun Wane said: “I’m really excited by the 24 players we have selected ahead of this upcoming Ashes Series.
“There were some tough decisions to be made given the quality we have across both Super League and the NRL and that’s never easy, but I am confident that the 24 selected will give us the best chance of winning this series.
“The return of The Ashes has been a long time coming and we now have the chance to face off against the Kangaroos and look to make history by being the first English side to win The Ashes in over 50 years.
“We already have two sold out venues in Everton and Headingley and I’m sure the atmosphere at Wembley in less than two weeks' time will be electric.”
Tickets are still available for the opening game of the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Series between England and Australia at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25th October here.
England’s ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Squad:
John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
Joe Burgess (Hull KR)
Daryl Clark (St Helens)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
Jez Litten (Hull KR)
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)
Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)
