England names six NRL players for Ashes series
England have named a 24-man squad for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia, with six players currently plying their trade in the NRL. The selection signals a blend of Super League experience and international expertise from Down Under as England bid to reclaim the rugby league Ashes after a 22-year gap without a traditional home-and-away format. The long-awaited three-Test series is set to rekindle one of the sport’s oldest rivalries, with a fresh emphasis on consistency, form, and adaptability across styles and climates.
Man of Steel snub dominates the narrative
One of the most discussed talking points has been the omission of Leeds Rhinos’ halfback Jake Connor, who won the Man of Steel award as the Super League’s most consistent performer for 2025. Connor guided Leeds to a top-four finish and earned the season’s individual honour, but England head coach Shaun Wane indicated that the award did not influence his selection.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Wane emphasised that personal accolades are not a factor when building a squad for a series against Australia. “When I’m picking a squad, the thing you will never hear from me is ‘he’s won the Man of Steel he needs to be in’,” Wane said. “I don’t even know who picked the Man of Steel, I don’t know what goes into it. The Dream Team, I don’t even know who’s in the Dream Team, so that never comes into my reckoning.”
In Wane’s view, the central criterion remains current form and how a player can perform under the realities of the Ashes series—the travel, the tempo, and the strategic demands of Test-level rugby league against Australia.
Key selections and the NRL influence
The England squad includes six players who are currently part of the NRL system: John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), and Dom Young (Newcastle Knights). Brimson’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy given his switch from Australia to England in 2023, a process required to represent England at the international level after previously representing Queensland in State of Origin.
Brimson’s eligibility was settled after the International Rugby League tribunal approved his allegiance switch. His experience in high-stakes matches like the State of Origin adds a valuable edge to England’s backline and playmaking options, especially in the halves and outside-back roles where versatility will be tested in the Ashes itinerary.
A forward-looking squad built around form and balance
England’s 24-man squad is a balance of established internationals, rising dual-code talents, and NRL specialists who know how to perform in tough arenas. The mix underscores a deliberate strategy to leverage the rugged edge of NRL competition while retaining the homegrown core that has traditionally defined England’s approach to the Ashes.
Coach Wane stressed that consistency across 80-minute performances, the ability to adapt to Australia’s varied forward pack, and disciplined execution under pressure will shape selection decisions as the series unfolds. With the series marking the first Ashes clash in 22 years, the squad is charged with laying down a strong foundation for future matches, regardless of the final result.
The road ahead for England and the Ashes series
England’s Ashes campaign will test a squad built on both the grit of Super League veterans and the pace of NRL talents. The decision to sideline a season-long standout like Jake Connor has already sparked debate among fans and pundits, but the coach’s insistence on prioritising form over awards will be scrutinised once the ball is in play in Australia. As preparations intensify, England supporters will be keen to see how the selected group gel, communicate, and translate domestic success into international performance against a long-standing rival.
