Potential Great Britain line up in 2025 with Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Irish & Scottish stars

Following reports that it could be a Great Britain and Ireland side taking on Australia next year rather than England, we’ve selected a possible 13 of players for the 2025 Ashes.

This isn’t necessarily a ‘best’ 13 of players: it’s one we think is likely to be selected in 2025 – and we expect the head coach to be Shaun Wane, who would transition to GB just as Wayne Bennett did for the 2019 tour.

Therefore, a number of things are thought of: whether players are likely to accept playing (players likely to one day be selected for Australia aren’t chosen as players can’t switch between Tier One nations.

Also, Shaun Wane and Andy Last’s roles with Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons are considered, as is the fact that there would be some commercial decisions – and any games would be played in Australia.

Therefore, players from those sides, and NRL, are slightly more likely to be picked than others.

The main thing considered is the fact that it makes sense to have players from across Great Britain and Ireland in the side, so players that have represented Scotland, Wales or Ireland are also slightly more likely to be picked, to make it a true Lions side – and less of a rebranded England.

With all that in mind (and yes, it’s a lot), here’s who we think could play for Great Britain in 2025.

QUIZ: Can you name these 10 English Internationals?

How Great Britain could line up in 2025

Fullback: Jack Welsby (England)

Welsby is certainly the standout English fullback in Super League right now and seems a shoo-in for the Lions side.

Ryan Brierley, who has represented Scotland, could be an option for the squad, but isn’t at the level of either Welsby or Matty Ashton at fullback.

Centres: Herbie Farnworth (England) and Euan Aitken (Scotland)

One of Scotland’s best players, Euan Aitken has represented them on occasion and has now become a regular starter for Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins side at second-row.

However, he’s spent most of his career as a starting NRL centre, so we’ve decided on him to partner Herbie Farnworth: Dally M Centre of the Year 2023, from Burnley, who has been electric during his time with Brisbane Broncos and now The Dolphins with Aitken.

Jake Wardle, who is one of the first names on the teamsheet for the current all-conquering Wigan Warriors side, could easily have made it into the side, but is edged out by two excellent NRL stars.

Bradman Best, who is eligible for Wales, would certainly be on the Great Britain radar, as a current NSW representative and one of the best centres in the world right now, but you can’t switch between Tier One nations – so accepting a call-up for Great Britain would mean he could never play for Australia.

Therefore, he’d be unlikely to play for Great Britain.

Ed Chamberlain and Toby King of Ireland are other potential options, as are England’s Harry Newman and Zak Hardaker – amongst others.

Wingers: Dom Young (England) and Liam Marshall (England)

It’s surely got to finally be time for Liam Marshall to get an international call-up, and maybe 2025 will be his time.

He’s Super League’s top try scorer in 2024 and has consistently been one of the very best wingers in the league.

Meanwhile, Dom Young was a standout at the most recent World Cup and has impressed both at Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters in NRL.

Innes and Louis Senior, Irish internationals, may be in contention for a place in the squad also, while Scotland’s Matty Russell is their best winger.

Halfbacks: Harry Smith (England) and George Williams (England)

Harry Smith and George Williams are top, top talents.

Assuming Wigan go on to continue their incredible form, Smith is likely to play for Great Britain – especially with Wane’s role with Wigan.

George Williams, meanwhile, has captained England and is a great option at stand-off, where he’s been deadly for Warrington Wolves.

Luke Keary, meanwhile, has represented Ireland – and will be at Catalans Dragons next year with England assistant coach Andy Last.

The prospect of more Irish representation, the Catalans link and his lonjg NRL career would have made this a likely option.

However, he played twice for Australia in 2018, so is unfortunately ineligible for this squad.

Another option may be Will Pryce, who has very suddenly raised his status in Australia after impressing after his recent debut for Newcastle Knights. By 2025, he may be a genuine contender for a starting spot.

Front-row: Matty Lees (England), Brad O’Neill (England) and Liam Byrne (Ireland)

It’s likely to be Brad O’Neill that’s in prime position to start as hooker over Danny Walker, while Daryl Clark might be slightly too old to be chosen by Shaun Wane.

Added to that, Wane’s role with the Warriors makes it likely that he’d go for the young superstar O’Neill, who has many years ahead of him as one of Britain’s shining lights.

St Helens’ Matty Lees gets the nod at prop alongside Wigan’s Liam Byrne, who has represented Ireland. There are many other good prop options but it seems likely that Byrne could start to get more Irish representation.

Ireland have some other good prop options: Jaimin Jolliffe of Gold Coast Titans, George King and Robbie Mulhern might be looked at.

Other prop options include Alex Walmsley, Tom Burgess and Luke Thompson, who could be chosen for the squad.

Back-row: Kai Pearce-Paul (England), James Bell (Scotland) and Victor Radley (England)

Kai Pearce-Paul being a regular for Newcastle Knights and James Bell being one of the few Scottish representatives got them starting roles here, but Junior Nsemba and Matty Nicholson, who’s off to Canberra Raiders, will make this an incredibly tough choice for Wane in 2025.

Added to that, there are still older England stars such as Joe Batchelor, Ben Currie, John Bateman, Mike McMeeken and Liam Farrell that may push for a game.

Leeds Rhinos’ James Bentley and Leigh Leopards’ Frankie Halton have represented Ireland and could also be in contention.

Meanwhile, Victor Radley gets the nod at 13 as another Sydney Roosters star. Although he was born in Sydney, his father is English, being from Sheffield.

Elliott Whitehead has retired from international rugby league so couldn’t be picked here – while we thought Radley being a Wane favourite made him more likely than Morgan Knowles to be a starter.