England’s final 24-man squad for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia features three players from Hull KR: Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, and Joe Burgess. This selection marks a significant achievement for the trio, especially after their recent Grand Final victory.
Key Absences and Notable Selections
Notably absent from the squad is Jake Connor, the Super League’s Man of Steel winner. Despite his accolades, Connor was unable to secure a spot, partly due to the intense competition in the halves.
Head coach Shaun Wane chose to prioritize players who have consistently performed throughout the season. This included Lewis, who recently won the Rob Burrow Award for his outstanding performance in the Grand Final, as well as Wigan’s Harry Smith and captain George Williams.
England’s Squad Overview
- 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 Young – Newcastle Knights
Ashes Test Series Schedule
The Ashes Test series will feature three matches:
- First Match: 25 October at Wembley
- Second Match: 1 November at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium
- Third Match: 8 November at AMT Headingley
All matches are slated to kick off at 14:30 and will be broadcast live on BBC One.
Coaching Insights
Coach Shaun Wane expressed his enthusiasm about the selected players. “I’m really excited by the 24 players we have selected ahead of this upcoming Ashes Series,” Wane stated. He acknowledged the difficult choices made, given the talent from both Super League and the NRL. However, he is confident that the chosen squad provides the best chance for success.
