Senior International Matches (Men)

Sat 25th October 2025   - KO  14:30 - Wembley Stadium, London , England
  Attendance: 60812
Official: Liam Moore (England)

England

6

FT

26

Half Time
0 - 8

Australia

Tries

Daryl Clark (76)

Reece Walsh (22,71)
Angus Crichton (45,65)

Goals

Mikey Lewis (1/1)

Nathan Cleary (5/5)

Match Preview: England, Australia finalise squads for Ashes series opener

England coach Shaun Wane has selected his 19-strong squad to face the Kangaroos in the Ashes series opener on October 25 at Wembley Stadium (kick off 2.30pm)

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. 

Gold Coast Titans utility AJ Brimson is set to make his England debut after being one of five NRL stars named in Shaun Wane’s 19-man squad for the Ashes series opener at Wembley Stadium.

Brimson, who successfully changed his international eligibility to England earlier this year through his mother’s English heritage, is joined by Newcastle Knights pair Dom Young and Kai Pearce-Paul, North Queensland Cowboys secondrower John Bateman and  Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth.

Wane said: “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.”

Australia’s Head Coach Kevin Walters named his first Kangaroos team earlier in the week.

Walters has named four debutants, with Reece Walsh, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Gehamat Shibasaki and Keaon Koloamatangi rewarded for their excellent form across the domestic season.  

Having been part of two Kangaroos tours as a player, Walters is relishing the opportunity to share his knowledge with the quartet ahead of the First Test.  

“It’s going to be huge thrill for all four of them to wear the green and gold for the first time in a Test match at such an iconic stadium,” Walters said.

“I’m excited for them as well as all of our players. Every member of our squad, whether they take the field or not, is about to experience something incredibly special this Saturday at Wembley.

“As I’ve said from day one of our preparations here in England, we’re on this Ashes journey together because it’s going to take a collective effort from everyone involved.”

England squad

John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard, Jake Wardle (Wigan) Tom Johnstone, Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Wildcats), Daryl Clark, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Alex Walmsley, Jack Welsby (St Helens), Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten (Hull KR),  Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Kai Pearce-Paul, Dom Young (Newcastle Knights), Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards), George Williams (Warrington).

Australian squad

Patrick Carrigan, Gehamat Shibasaki, Kotoni Staggs, Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos), Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), Harry Grant, Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights), Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys), Josh Addo-Carr, Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Nathan Cleary, Lindsay Smith, Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers), Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters).

Photo credit: SWPix 

23 October 2025
1 Jack Welsby
Full Back
Reece Walsh 1
2 Dom Young
Right Wing
Mark Nawaqanitawase 2
3 Herbie Farnworth
Right Centre
Kotoni Staggs 3
4 Jake Wardle
Left Centre
Gehamat Shibasaki 4
5 Tom Johnstone
Left Wing
Josh Addo-Carr 5
6 George Williams
Stand Off
Cameron Munster 6
7 Mikey Lewis
Scrum Half
Nathan Cleary 7
8 Ethan Havard
Prop
Patrick Carrigan 8
9 Daryl Clark
Hooker
Harry Grant 9
10 Matty Lees
Prop
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 10
11 John Bateman
Second Row
Angus Crichton 11
12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Second Row
Hudson Young 12
13 Morgan Knowles
Loose Forward
Isaah Yeo 13
14 Jez Litten
Int 1
Tom Dearden 14
15 Alex Walmsley
Int 2
Lindsay Collins 15
16 Owen Trout
Int 3
Reuben Cotter 16
17 Mike McMeeken
Int 4
Keaon Koloamatangi 17
Reserve 1
Match Report: Australia takes first test

The first Rugby League Ashes Test in 22 years took place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, in front of a record UK Ashes crowd of 60,812.

This is the best attendance for an Ashes Test match on English soil since the opening Test match at Wembley in 1994.

An intense but scrappy affair unfolded in the first half of the first series since 2003, as rivalries were reignited between the two nations for the first time since the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

But it was Australia who have taken the spoils in the opening Test, drawing first blood through their star full-back Reece Walsh, as he dived over on his international debut for the Green and Golds.

England did push their opponents all the way in the opening half, but too many missed opportunities were had.

The visitors' lead was later extended by a penalty goal from the world’s best Nathan Cleary, and the Aussies went on to dominate despite losing their captain Isaah Yeo early on with a failed Head Injury Assessment.

The score-line read 0-8 to Kevin Walters' Kangaroos at half-time.

And it was to be Australia’s afternoon in the capital with Angus Crichton the man of the hour with a second half brace, and Cleary once again adding the extras.

Walsh, a standout performer on the hallowed turf, then joined his teammate by completing a double on the 71st minute to seal a solid victory for his side.

But Shaun Wane’s men ensured they wouldn’t be leaving London scoreless, as Daryl Clark spotted a gap in the defence and scooted over the line, showing encouraging signs of what England can do.

It was too little too late, however, with England’s adventure at Wembley Stadium ending in defeat.

The hosts will now look to right their wrongs next weekend, as the ABK Beer Ashes Series heads to Liverpool next Saturday (1 November), with the Second Test at Everton’s sold-out Hill Dickinson Stadium.

25 October 2025