This Saturday is going to be both an exciting and a historic day, as the Rugby League Ashes makes its highly anticipated return.
England will face Australia in a three-game Test series for the first time since 2003, with the opening Test kicking off at Wembley Stadium (2.30pm).
Ticket sales for the first Test reached 54,569 last week, matching the attendance for the famous first Test of the 1990 Ashes.
A record UK Ashes crowd is expected between the two nations on British soil this Saturday, with the last record set in the capital back in 1994 (57,034).
And with the second and third Tests in Liverpool and Leeds already SOLD OUT, being inside Wembley Stadium is the only place to see this fierce rivalry LIVE!
The two nations sides have not played each other in a competitive match since the 2017 World Cup Final, when Australia beat England 6-0 in a truly brutal affair.
Where the Ashes is concerned, the inaugural series dates back to 1908, and 2025 will be the first time the series is contested by England, and not Great Britain.
The last Ashes series took place 22 years ago, with the Kangaroos winning 3-0 on English soil after three tightly fought, blood and thunder battles.
In Ashes series history, Great Britain have won 19 and Australia have won 20 – including the last 13 consecutive series dating from 1970 to 2003.
The Lions haven’t won an Ashes series for 55 years but have come excruciatingly close on multiple occasions.
And on Saturday, Shaun Wane’s side will embark on a mission to try and rewrite the history books.
Wembley, however, has been a happy hunting ground for opening Test match victories. Fans will remember the iconic 1990 and 1994 Test match victories on the hallowed turf.
It has been 30 years since England beat their rivals though, with their last win against Australia coming in the 1995 World Cup opener – ironically at Wembley Stadium.
Paul Newlove was the man of the hour with a match-winning interception, as England went on to secure a 20-16 victory.
Relive the classic games by watching the highlights over on our England YouTube channel. And prepare to be entertained again on Saturday!
A string have losses have since followed, however, meaning this opportunity of revenge has been a long time coming.
The Ashes has a rich and storied history, with so many legendary moments and players etched in Rugby League folklore.
But despite singular test match victories and plenty of close contests, no generation has been able to overcome the world’s best since 1970.
There has also been an entire generation who missed out due to the lengthy absence of the series.
Can this new generation finally be the ones to overcome Australia in an Ashes? And will you be there to witness the action?
Ones to watch:
Saturday's showdown will see the best players in the world take to the big stage.
For England, Mikey Lewis should bring the X Factor. He is fresh off a treble with Hull KR and will be looking to produce a magic moment against the Aussies this Saturday.
He has also won the race to for a starting spot and will partner captain George Williams at Wembley following Wane's 19-player squad announcement on Thursday.
Superstar Herbie Farnworth was a standout performer in the Samoa series last year and has enjoyed another stellar season with the Dolphins in the NRL. A hamstring injury may have cut his domestic season short, but he is more than ready for a return to action. Will he be a key man in Wane’s side?
Jack Welsby has been an England mainstay at fullback and is Mr. Reliable. His relationship with playmaker Williams could prove crucial, as England seek their first victory in an Ashes Test match since 2001.
Another player to keep an eye out for is Morgan Knowles, who always leads from the front. He’s heading for the NRL in 2026 and is a decorated loose forward, with multiple honours to his name, and has always been an incredible workhorse in defence.
For Australia, Nathan Cleary is an obvious one to watch. Regarded as one, if not, the best player in the world, the Penrith Panthers star will be aiming to have his fingerprints all over this year’s Ashes series.
Famous for his exceptional running game, kicking game and countless clutch moments, Cleary will no doubt be the mastermind of the Kangaroos’ attack. Having been at the heart of the Panthers’ four NRL Premierships from 2021 to 2024, we can expect to see the very best from the 27-year-old sensation.
He will partner Cameron Munster in the halves, an equally as dangerous player who is known for his off-the-cuff style.
Panthers’ Isaah Yeo will captain Australia in the 2025 Ashes, as he looks to bring his winning experience to the side, along with some exciting new faces.
One of these faces includes debutant Reece Walsh, who will start for the Green & Golds at the weekend, on the back of being a breakout star in the NRL.
He won the Clive Churchill Medal in the NRL Grand Final earlier this month, thanks to a try and three try assists.
Will the Aussie livewire be in fine form on Saturday?
All three-Test matches will be shown LIVE on BBC One.
Wembley Teams:
England squad: John Bateman, AJ Brimson, Daryl Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Ethan Havard, Tom Johnstone, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, Mike McMeeken, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul, Owen Trout, Alex Walmsley, Jake Wardle, Jack Welsby, George Williams, Dom Young
Australia squad: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Isaah Yeo (c), 14. Tom Dearden, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Keaon Koloamatangi, 18. Bradman Best, 19. Lindsay Smith, 20. Mitchell Moses
Click here to get your tickets for the Wembley Test!
Tickets are on sale DIGITALLY until 4pm on Friday (24 October). Any tickets purchased ONLINE after this time must be collected from Wembley's Ticket Office on game day (25 October). You can also purchase tickets from the stadium on the day!
Hurry as the lower and middle tiers of Wembley have sold out with only tier 4 and 5 tickets remaining!
Click here for the ABK Beer Ashes Fan Guide
Click here for the ABK Beer Ashes Spectator Guide
Click here to for our revamped England website to make sure you stay up to date with all things England!
Rivalries will be reignited when England take on Australia in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes THIS SATURDAY. 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!
There's still time to 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 One.
