Australia will reportedly tour England for the 2025 Ashes, which marks a major change from what was proposed by the International Rugby League in 2023.
The Ashes has long been thought of as the pinnacle of the sport but it’s an aspect of Rugby League that has been ignored for over two decades.
Last played in 2003, the Ashes seemed to be just a fond memory but when International Rugby League met in Singapore last August, putting the Ashes back on for 2025 was a top priority.
IRL Chair Troy Grant confirmed that news: “The Ashes return, with England Men’s and Women’s teams to tour Australia in 2025,” however, an update from Down Under now claims that the Ashes will be held in England instead.
The last two Ashes series have all been played in the UK in 2003 and 2001 with 1994 marking the last time that the series was contested Down Under. New reports suggest that it could be an even longer wait before England or Great Britain next tour Australia.
Ashes talks offer huge lifeline to international Rugby League
That’s because The Daily Telegraph are reporting that the Australian Rugby League Commission and the Rugby Football League are ‘considering’ having Australia tour England, as opposed to the initial plan of England travelling Down Under.
A three-Test series is being plotted with no club games as warm-ups with player welfare the top consideration although no further details have been confirmed with talks seemingly in the early stages, other than that England being hosts is ‘more than likely’.
The RFL has been contacted for comment on the reports.
Using the current Tests against Samoa as a platform in which international Rugby League is a trending topic and is being aired on national free-to-air television, a move to announce the Australia tour now could be hugely beneficial.
However, it seems that talks are in the early stages with the International Rugby League commission simply aware of Australia’s desire to tour.
Australia’s willing to travel to England is certainly a new development with England’s kit launch back in September being accompanied with a statement speaking on the excitement of seeing the shirt in “the UK, USA and Australia”.
Regardless of where the series will be held, it marks a welcome change for the international calendar to be something that fans can get excited about with an Ashes tour, regardless of where it is played, seemingly locked in for 2025 before the 2026 World Cup.
Next weekend, England Men and Women will play a double header at Headingley with the Women facing Wales before Shaun Wane’s side take on Samoa in the second of their two-game series.