England lost the Ashes series 3-0 this autumn with Australia running out deserved winners in games at Wembley, Everton and Headingley.
The series was a success for a number of reasons with two venues being sold out and a Northern Hemisphere Ashes attendance record being set at Wembley. But, for England and Shaun Wane, the series was a disaster.
With that in mind, we’ve rated all 24 players who played for England over the series.
England Ashes player ratings
John Bateman: Was part of a pack that struggled in the first Test and missed that last two games through injury and illness. 5
AJ Brimson: Overlooked for the first Test and while he had moments in Liverpool, he didn’t get as much time as he would have liked with the ball in his hands. Left the field early in the third Test through injury. 5
Joe Burgess: Struggled early doors at Headingley but rose to the challenge as the game wore on. 5
Daryl Clark: Started the first clash at Wembley and barged over late to score England’s only try of the game but he was overlooked in the following weeks. 6
Herbie Farnworth: One of England’s better performers but still didn’t showcase what he is truly capable of against the Kangaroos. 7
Ethan Havard: Struggled to make a lasting impact in the first game and wasn’t seen again. 4
Tom Johnstone: The winger was an ever present for England but he struggled at points and never really looked comfortable at the level. 5
Morgan Knowles: Impressed in front of an Australian audience. He’ll head down under to join the Dolphins knowing that he can mix at the top level. Not the best with the ball in hand but matched up to the Aussies well. 7
Matty Lees: One of England’s best. He carried well, tackled even better and rose to the physicality of the Aussies. 8
Mikey Lewis: Unfortunate really. He was dropped to the bench after struggling to carve out openings in the first Test, he was given 10 minutes at Everton and while he did get 70 at Headingley, they came as a makeshift full-back, which he was never comfortable with. 5
Jez Litten: The player of the series from an England perspective. Produced a moment of sheer brilliance in the third Test to slice the Aussies open and set up Williams. He’s earned the chance to be England’s starting hooker at the World Cup. 8
Mike McMeeken: Impressed though the middle with his size and physicality to end a strong season from an individual perspective in a fitting manner. 7
Harry Newman: Came in for the final Test and carried well but didn’t make too much of an impact. 6
Mikolaj Oledzki: Came off the bench twice and fared relatively well without having too much of a say on the series. 6
Kai Pearce-Paul: Given his NRL standing, he’s one that probably underwhelmed slightly. Played all three Tests. 6
Harry Smith: Struggled with the intensity of Test match football. Hit and miss with his kicking didn’t do enough to create opportunities. 5
Morgan Smithies: Really caught the eye when he came off the bench at Everton, got stuck in at Headingley, too. Shown he deserves a spot in the World Cup. 7
Owen Trout: Never got too much of a run. Played at Wembley and failed to really catch the eye. 5
Alex Walmsley: Had a better game at Headingley but was one of those to fall below expectations in the first two Tests. 5
Jake Wardle: Played through injury but really underwhelmed. He won’t be happy with how his series went. 5
Kallum Watkins: On the verge of an 8, it must be said. Came in for Bateman after the first Test and instantly looked at home at the level. Given his age, though, Saturday may well have been his last outing for England. 7
Jack Welsby: Way off the pace in the first Test and wasn’t seen again. A really disappointing showing from the St Helens man who seems to have slipped behind Brimson in the pecking order. 3
George Williams: Got England’s second try of the series but that shouldn’t paint over what was a difficult series for the NRL bound half. Failed to create, showed no attacking edge and was found wanting defensively on a couple of occasions too. 4
Dom Young: England’s best back through the series. He was lively in the second Test and came close to scoring on a number of occasions. Missed the final Test through injury. 7
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Eric T Cat
November 10, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Are the detailed player stats of the two sides available? Metres run, line breaks, errors, tackle busts, tackles, post contact metres, etc. They will tell us all far more than these ratings. I think your rating for Tom Johnstone is unfair, and the George Williams one rather generous!
Dennis Kirkham
November 11, 2025 at 8:06 am
Welsby had a poor 1st Test but it was an off day for him. He is too good a player to be abandoned for the incoming A J Brinson who offered very little.
Lots of comments saying Wade should go. Couldn’t agree more.
Williams was pretty useless throughout the Series