Rugby League Ashes 2025: Squads, fixtures and venues as England and Australia reignite rivalry

Tremendous League Man of Metal Jake Connor has not been named in Shaun Wane’s England squad for the upcoming Rugby League Ashes sequence towards Australia.

Leeds Rhinos’ Connor, who scooped the highest particular person prize this yr, can be absent from the sequence, with Wane choosing Mikey Lewis, Harry Smith, and captain George Williams as his halfback choices.

Smith and Williams are a tried and examined partnership for England, with sturdy performances towards Tonga and Samoa most not too long ago. In the meantime, Lewis put in a efficiency to recollect within the Grand Last.

Nevertheless, for a lot of, Connor is a risk that England might have needed to make use of in some unspecified time in the future within the three-match conflict, particularly since Williams is not going to have performed for 2 months by the point of the primary Take a look at.

Different notable absentees embody Wigan Warriors’ Junior Nsemba, Luke Thompson, and Brad O’Neill with Canberra Raiders’ Matty Nicholson additionally not chosen.

AJ Brimson of Gold Coast Titans is chosen after efficiently making use of to vary his worldwide eligibility to England earlier this yr by means of his mom’s English heritage. Brimson scored 12 tries in 23 NRL appearances in 2025.

Additionally from the NRL, Newcastle Knights duo Dom Younger and Kai Pearce-Paul are included with Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, North Queensland’s John Bateman and Morgan Smithies who lifted the Minor Premiership with Canberra Raiders.

St Helens boast the very best illustration with 5 gamers, whereas Tremendous League runners-up Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos be part of Hull KR in having three gamers named. Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone are included from Wakefield Trinity with Captain Williams the only consultant from Warrington Wolves and Owen Trout the only consultant from Leigh Leopards.

The complete England squad is as follows:

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 Younger (Newcastle Knights)

What’s the Australia squad?

Australia have introduced a stellar squad that may head over to England.

Grand Last winners Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan, and Gehamat Shibasaki are within the squad, with the likes of Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses, Harry Grant, and Angus Crichton additionally that includes.

In different phrases, it’s STACKED.

After the announcement of their squad, the Kangaroos made some modifications, with Josh Addo-Carr and Bradman Greatest changing injured Storm winger Xavier Coates and Parramatta’s Zac Lomax.

“This will be one of the most anticipated Kangaroo Tours in recent memory,” ARLC Chairman Mr Peter V’landys AM mentioned.

“The return of the Ashes after 22 years is not just a sporting event-it’s a celebration of Rugby League’s rich heritage and enduring rivalry between two countries.

“To put on the inexperienced and gold in an Ashes sequence is a uncommon honour. It is the fruits of years of laborious work, sacrifice and the reward for all that stood behind each participant.

“This squad will also carry the pride of a nation and the legacy of those who came before them.

“For these gamers, their households, and the sport itself, being a part of an Ashes Tour can be a lifelong reminiscence.”

How typically does The Ashes happen?

When you would assume the Ashes occurs frequently, in rugby league, that might not be farther from the case.

Certainly, remarkably, this would be the first time that England will face rivals Australia within the rugby league Ashes since 2003.

The Kangaroos have gained the final 13 rugby league Ashes sequence courting again to 1970, with the sequence beforehand contested by Nice Britain slightly than England.

It’s eight years because the nations final met – within the 2017 World Cup closing in Brisbane, with Australia successful 6-0. In addition they gained all three Take a look at matches on the latest tour in 2003.

When and the place are the video games being performed?

The three matches will happen throughout England, with the opening match being the primary rugby league worldwide at Wembley Stadium because the 2013 World Cup.

The second match will then happen at Everton’s new Hill-Dickinson Stadium earlier than Headingley in Leeds rounds off the sequence.

The matches in Leeds and at Everton are already bought out, with Wembley the one venue left the place you may watch the spectacle.

Everton’s interim chief govt officer, Colin Chong, mentioned: “We are delighted to welcome the Rugby League Ashes series to Everton Stadium this autumn.

“In addition to being dwelling to Everton, our new stadium was constructed to additionally host world-class sporting and leisure occasions. Securing a global fixture of this magnitude demonstrates Everton Stadium’s standing as one of many UK’s main venues.

“The rivalry between England and Australia in rugby league has a rich history and we are excited to welcome fans of the sport to our city and our stadium, which will offer an unforgettable experience in a state-of-the-art setting on the banks of the River Mersey.”

First Take a look at – Saturday October 25, Wembley Stadium, London

Second Take a look at – Saturday November 1, Everton Stadium, Liverpool

Third Take a look at – Saturday November 8, Headingley Stadium, Leeds