Shaun Wane has named his squad for the Ashes opener at Wembley Stadium on Saturday!
England Head Coach Shaun Wane has selected his 19-strong squad to face the Kangaroos in the first ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Test on Saturday 25 October at Wembley Stadium.
Rob Burrow Award winner Mikey Lewis is named in Wane’s squad following an impressive season which saw him guide Hull KR to a memorable treble. Fellow Robin Jez Litten is also selected and in line to make his first England appearance since a mid-season victory over France back in 2023.
Leigh Leopards forward Owen Trout may make his international debut whilst St Helens prop-forward Alex Walmsley – who featured the last time England faced Australia – could make his first international appearance since a 2021 win over France.
AJ Brimson is selected in Wane’s 19-player squad after successfully changing his international eligibility to England earlier this year through his mother’s English heritage.
John Bateman, who is one of five NRL-based players in the 19, is the most-capped member of the squad with 26 England caps in addition to four for Great Britain, with captain George Williams in line to win his 21st England cap.
Head Coach Shaun Wane said: “I’m delighted to name our 19 for the opening Ashes Test against Australia this Saturday at Wembley.
“We have a fantastic squad and whittling it down for the first Ashes Test match in 22 years wasn’t easy, but I am confident the players selected can challenge the Kangaroos this weekend.
“We’ve had two fantastic weeks in camp preparing and we are now in touching distance of what will be an historic fixture under the Wembley arch.
“I hope the English supporters turn out loud and proud and those that haven’t got their tickets yet join us at Wembley!”
Saturday’s fixture will be the first Ashes Test in 22 years, and the first time England have met Australia since the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final with a record crowd for a UK Ashes Test Match expected.
Both the lower and middle tiers of Wembley have sold out with only tier 4 and 5 tickets remaining at Wembley Stadium.
Get your tickets here!
England Squad v Australia, Test One, Saturday 25 October, Wembley Stadium, 230pm
John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)
Age: 32. England caps: 26 (8 tries). Great Britain caps: 4 (1 try)
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
Age: 27. England caps: 0
Daryl Clark (St Helens)
Age: 32. England caps: 13 (1 try). Great Britain caps: 2 (1 try)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Age: 25. England caps: 6 (6 tries)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Age: 24. England caps: 3 (1 try)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
Age: 30. England caps: 5 (7 tries)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Age: 28. England caps: 8. Wales caps: 4 (1 try)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Age: 27. England caps: 9 (1 try)
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
Age: 24. England caps: 5 (2 tries)
Jez Litten (Hull KR)
Age: 27. England caps: 1
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
Age: 31. England caps: 11 (1 try)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Age: 26. England caps: 2
Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
Age: 24. England caps: 3 (2 tries)
Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
Age: 26. England caps: 0
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
Age: 35. England caps: 6 (1 try). Great Britain caps: 4
Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
Age: 26. England caps: 1 (1 try)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
Age: 24. England caps: 12 (4 tries)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Age: 30. England caps: 20 (10 tries, 1 goal). Great Britain caps: 1
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)
Age: 24. England caps: 6 (9 tries)
