Do you hear that? The calm before the storm. Or, as Gandalf put it, “the deep breath before the plunge.” That unspoken, bubbling mixture of emotions within your stomach – anticipation, excitement, nerves and more than just a little hint of fear. It builds, silently at first, but steadily until it bursts out through the pores and manifests in every thought and action. It’s intense, it’s thrilling and for most of us utterly uncontrollable. Fight or Flight. For many, the urge to scream and run into the dark will overpower them. For the few, they will find it within themselves to turn that fear into strength and energy to stand and go forward, ever forward. No matter the cost, no matter how many times that voice inside their head screams at them to run for safety. They who master their fear will triumph. 

For those about to contest the Rugby League Ashes. We salute you.

After 22 years of rumours, botched tours, a global pandemic and a plethora of other reasons, the greatest contest in International Rugby League finally returns this weekend, at Wembley. For the first time in the competition’s 117-year history, England (not Great Britain) will be making their stand against Australia. No series triumph since 1970, and no win in an Ashes test since 2001. Even if Australia weren’t arriving as reigning world champions, we’re under no illusions as to who the favourites and underdogs are.    

From the moment the Australians landed their media hype-train went into overdrive. We’ve heard the full works in the two weeks leading up to the series starting: from the accurate “we’re the favourites with the best players in the world” lines to the daring to fail “This England side would be destroyed by New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa teams”. Those in the English fanbase of a naturally pessimistic dispostion have swallowed what was said and have already brought out the white flags. 

It’s true, Australia do boast a frankly unparalleled level of depth and talent to their squads, which is both incredible and truly sickening at the same time. Even though this touring squad is stacked full of the NRL’s biggest names (see the bottom of this article for the full list), it is also by no means the all-conquering invincible side which ruled the roost with Great Britain sides from 2001-17. Long gone are the likes of Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith, Willie Mason, Greg Inglis, Jamie Lyon, Sam Thaiday, Billy Slater or Petero Civoniceva to name just nine. And for those of us of a certain age who had our teenage dreams perpetually ruined by the sight of him terrorising our brave lads, there’s no Darren Lockyer* either to produce the impossible play to win the match in the dying seconds again. 

Of course, it goes without saying that England are the underdogs, and will need to have three near-perfect matches for them to win the series. That is always the case when playing against Australia. They are not the invincible side of yesteryear, but they never send out a poor or weak side either. But that’s now enough about Australia, they’ve attracted more than their fair share of the media’s attention.

How do the hosts shape up on the eve of their first date with destiny?

England

Let us first address the elephant in the room.

It’s fair to say that nobody saw the eventual squad selection coming. Jaws could be heard crashing through the floor from across the land as the news broke that the likes of Jake Connor, Elliot Minchella, Junior Nsemba and James Batchelor had all missed out. There are a few more names not mentioned here who were also deserving of a call up after their strong performances this season. 

It was certainly a bold call from England coach, Shaun Wane, to omit the above mentioned from the national squad. 

Yet as the past two weeks have worn on and putting aside all club loyalties and players I would’ve picked, it looks like Wane may have played a blinder here. The 24-man squad is stacked full of utility players who can – and may well be expected to – cover a variety of positions as the series wears on. There is also a simple fact, amid all the furore, that Wane has also kept the core of his England squad from the past two seasons – who comprehensively whitewashed Tonga and Samoa in ‘23 and ‘24 respectively. There is an eye on next year’s World Cup, and having proven versatile players will be key to any success. Wane has backed himself and doubled-down on his selection. He knows the stakes could not be higher and his legacy as England coach hangs on his ability to choose the best group of players possible. 

Below is how I expect the England starting XIII to line up tomorrow at Wembley.

Jack Welsby is expected to start at fullback for the hosts, having won his battle against the clock for fitness following injury. He is also the only specialist fullback in the squad, though there have been rumours that AJ Brimson may deputise there if required. The utility back, who plies his trade at the Gold Coast Titans is in line to make his international debut, and can also provide cover at centre and at halfback. 

Wing options Dom Young and Tom Johnstone are expected to complete the three-quarter line when the team is confirmed on Saturday. Completing the backline, the whole world would be stunned if Herbie Farnworth somehow didn’t make the starting line up. The Dolphins’ centre is already one of the most highly rated players in the NRL, and he’s one player that the Kangaroos fear for his ability to cut through even the soundest of defensive lines. He will almost certainly be partnered alongside Jake Wardle. The Wigan man has seen off competition from Harry Newman for the second centre berth in the opening test and will be tasked with providing physicality to back up Farnworth’s playmaking.

In the halves, Wane has perhaps already shown his preferred hand and surprised everyone again by selecting Mikey Lewis ahead of Harry Smith. The 2024 man of steel will partner captain George Williams in the halves. Many have argued that Williams can count himself very fortunate to be selected, having endured a torrid season with Warrington. Though, if truth be told, much of the responsibility for their lacklustre season must be shouldered by their shambolic forward pack. Wane has backed his captain to the hilt to lead from the front in this series, and he provides a solid and dependable presence to compliment Lewis’ maverick brilliance.

The forwards are perhaps the hardest to predict, the front row especially so. If the selection criteria demands someone who’s fearless and willing to try and run through a concrete wall, then Mikolaj Oledzki has to be starting. The Leeds prop has built a reputation on making the hard punching carries, which will be vital to put pressure on Australia. He’s also one of the few front-row players who can get through the full 80 minutes. Ethan Havard has also built a similar reputation up at Wigan, and the argument for starting both athletic giants could shake Australia up. 

As for who gets the nod at Hooker, it’s a shoot-out between the experience and solidity of Daryl Clark or the speed and ‘off-the-cuff’ playmaking of Jez Litten. Litten would be a complete unknown for the Kangaroos to deal with, and his scooting runs from the ruck have caused havoc all year in Super League. Whilst Clark is not known for that, he has the uncanny ability to be seemingly everywhere on the pitch – and when was the last time you saw him miss a tackle? Both should make the matchday 17, and both will be pivotal to England’s chances of success.

It looks likely that Kai Pearce-Paul will be one of the second row forwards starting tomorrow, and has been in solid form all season in the NRL, one of the leading tacklers for the Newcastle Knights. He’ll be fully aware already that he’ll be required to work overtime in the defensive line over the next three weeks. The question of who partners him could end up with the most controversial answer of all. The formbook would simply tell you Mike McMeeken should get the nod. He was Wakefield’s talisman during their remarkable return to Super League, which culminated in securing a play-off finish. At 31, McMeeken is also one of the most experienced players in the group and, much like Pearce-Paul regularly tops the tackle count table each year. 

The other player in contention is North Queensland Cowboy’s John Bateman. If Williams has endured a torrid year, then we could say that Bateman’s has been dire. He’s struggled both for form and playing time throughout the season, and to say he was a surprise selection would be the understatement of the year. Yet for all that, Bateman’s reputation when wearing an England jersey is difficult to argue against. He’s never turned in a bad performance and is willing and capable of doing a solid job for the team in whichever position he’s asked to play. Perhaps knowing the outrage it caused in the media, Wane cheekily nodded to the selection declaring he “has credit in the bank”. Still, it would be an extremely brave call to start him on Saturday. 

Rounding out the starting XIII at loose forward, I’d fully expect to see Morgan Knowles. The Saints stalwart departs for the NRL next year and will want to give the Aussies a timely reminder of just who they are getting. Having marked time in previous seasons for England in the second row, Knowles now looks set to finally play in his preferred position, with the previous incumbent Victor Radley now in a self-imposed international exile. 

So now, it is time for the talking to stop. The teams are ready, the stadiums are ready. It now comes down to how this England squad delivers on the big stage. They have a golden opportunity to write themselves into the history books forever. The players selected have all bought into the coach’s plans and belief that they can become the best team in the world.

Now it is time to kick these Kangaroos back to Australia! 

*Actually, Lockyer probably will be around for the first test as he continues his impressive start to life as co-owner of the London Broncos.