England Head Coach Shaun Wane has confirmed his 19-player squad to face the Kangaroos in the opening Ashes Test on Saturday 25 October at Wembley Stadium.
Rob Burrow Award winner Mikey Lewis is named following a stellar season in which he led Hull KR to a treble. Teammate Jez Litten also features and could make his first England appearance since 2023.
Leigh Leopards forward Owen Trout is in line for a potential international debut, while Alex Walmsley returns to the squad for the first time since 2021. Another notable inclusion is AJ Brimson, who qualifies for England through his mother’s English heritage after switching eligibility earlier this year.
Among the five NRL-based players, John Bateman remains England’s most experienced with 26 caps, while George Williams will again captain the side and could collect his 21st England appearance.
Wane said:
“We have a fantastic squad and whittling it down for the first Ashes Test in 22 years wasn’t easy, but I’m confident the players selected can challenge the Kangaroos this weekend.
We’ve had two brilliant weeks in camp and 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.”
This Saturday marks the first Rugby League Ashes Test in 22 years, and the first meeting between England and Australia since the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final. A record crowd for a UK Ashes Test is expected, with both the Lower Bowl and Club Wembley sold out.
It has been announced that the Player of the Series will be awarded the Fulton-Reilly Award in honour of two of the greats in rugby league.
🏉 England Squad v Australia – First Test
Saturday 25 October | Wembley Stadium | 2:30pm
John Bateman, North Queensland Cowboys
AJ Brimson, Gold Coast Titans
Daryl Clark, St Helens
Herbie Farnworth, Dolphins
Ethan Havard, Wigan Warriors
Tom Johnstone, Wakefield Trinity
Morgan Knowles, St Helens
Matty Lees, St Helens
Mikey Lewis, Hull KR
Jez Litten, Hull KR
Mike McMeeken, Wakefield Trinity
Mikolaj Oledzki, Leeds Rhinos
Kai Pearce-Paul, Newcastle Knights
Owen Trout, Leigh Leopards
Alex Walmsley, St Helens
Jake Wardle, Wigan Warriors
Jack Welsby, St Helens
George Williams, Warrington Wolves
Dom Young, Newcastle Knights
