Hear from Herbie who is living it up in the England camp, and ready for a return to international action!
England’s star centre Herbie Farnworth may have lived in Australia since he was 17 years old, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots as he returns to English soil for the ABK Beer Ashes Series.
Currently thriving with the NRL’s Dolphins, England Head Coach Shaun Wane has often referred to Farnworth as one of the ‘best centres in the world.’
In 2024, a talented Farnworth enjoyed a terrific season with the Dolphins, which saw him named Dally M Centre of the Year, before he went on to produce two fantastic performances in England’s Test Series victory over Samoa, scoring three tries and emerging as the series’ top metre maker.
Prior to this, he was also a key member of the Rugby League World Cup in 2022.
On to 2025 and Farnworth has been a force all year, providing leadership and class in the backline, and crossed for 12 tries in 19 appearances.
The Dolphins came ever so close to reaching the Finals, but would fall short at the final hurdle.
Matters certainly weren’t helped by a hamstring injury Farnworth sustained in early August, which inevitably had an impact on where his side finished. Imagine losing your standout performer at the most crucial stage of the season?
But needn't you worry England fans, as Herbie is back bigger, stronger and ready to pull on the England shirt and represent his country, with the aim to keep improving his game:
“I keep trying to get better each year and I like to think I’ve done that with the time I’ve had in the NRL," Farnworth said, who has recently penned a new deal with the Dolphins.
“It’s the same going into camp now – I’m going to be learning a lot from the boys in Super League. There are some great footballers we’ve got.
“We’ve got a really strong bond as a team and we’re planning on doing something special.”
Farnworth is one of the six NRL players to feature in Wane’s England squad. There’s also a new kid on the block as a versatile AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans) comes into the team for the first time, and Farnworth has taken him under his wing:
“I took AJ to Greggs the other day. We were walking round Manchester City Centre, so I thought 'oh I’ll show him a little bit of culture.'
“It was pretty cheap, so we were pretty happy with it.”
Born in Lancashire, Farnworth grew up with a close-knit circle and community, and is looking forward to sharing such a historic experience with them:
“It’s so lovely to see all my family and friends again. I don't get to see them too often, but when I do, it's very special and having them watch me play is a rare occasion, which makes it even better for me.
“They will be coming to all three games, so it's nice.
“Whenever I go home, it feels like I’ve not left.”
Fans will be pleased to hear that Herbie is back to full fitness, and is raring to go next Saturday when England face Australia in the hotly-anticipated Ashes opener at Wembley Stadium:
“It’s all fine now,” Farnworth reassured the press.
“I did my full rehab course and I’m back moving just the way I was before, so I’m just excited to get back on the field.
“I thought the injury was pretty bad when I did it and not being able to play in the Ashes did come into my mind.
“But once I had the scans and found out it wasn’t the full rupture, I knew it would be fine. As soon as I got the results, I was happy and ringing Waney [Shaun Wane]!
“The Dolphins didn’t end up making the finals, so I wasn’t rushed back at all, so I’m completely 100% fine.”
Farnworth plays with Australians on a weekly basis Down Under, but insists their game isn't anything that England can’t match.
In fact, he wants to come out firing and wholeheartedly believes England can come away with as winners:
“I play week in and week out against Australians and there are very talented players, but there’s nothing superhuman about them.
“I love playing the Aussies and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into them at Wembley.”
It’s an Ashes series 22-years in the making, which arguably adds extra pressure to this generation of England stars who are set to take to the field.
Farnworth agrees:
“Oh 100%. I might not get to play in an Ashes series again, and that makes it very, very special. You want those bragging rights.
“It would mean everything. I’ve got a lot of bets riding on it too from back in the Dolphins team!” he joked.
“The Aussies are a very confident bunch, but the English way is obviously to be a bit more humble, so it will be interesting on that field, for sure!”
Are you excited to see Farnworth in action? Will he light up the Ashes Series? Make sure you're at Wembley Stadium next Saturday (25 October) to witness the First Test!
Rivalries will be reignited when England take on Australia in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes THIS MONTH. 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.
The three-game Ashes Series will also be shown live on the BBC.
