Predicted England line-up to face Australia in third Test with half-back change and St Helens man dropped

Shaun Wane has named his 19-man England squad for the third and final Ashes Test and he’s kept changes to a minimum.

With the series gone, England will be determined to pick up the win they need to prevent Australia from securing a 3-0 whitewash victory in the first series played out between the two nations in 22 years.

Of course achieving that is easier said than done with England scoring just one try in the two Tests so far. The hosts have looked jaded with the ball in hand and despite enjoying plenty of territory last time out at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, they never really came close to scoring.

It’s fair to say a change of tack is needed when it comes to their attack then and despite Wane naming George Williams in the squad, we’re plumping for Mikey Lewis to start at six at Headingley on Saturday.

Williams visibly struggled for attacking ideas last week and while Lewis struggled alongside the Warrington Wolves man in the first Test, it’s probably fair to say that the 2024 Man of Steel might have fared better with the amount of good ball England had on Saturday.

As such, while Williams is the skipper of the side, based on the evidence of the opening two Tests, picking him to start in the third Test would play into Australia’s hands.

Lewis alongside Harry Smith looks to be the way forward then, with George Williams potentially being used as the 18th or 19th man.

AJ Brimson keeps his spot at full-back behind a three-quarter line that looks set to include Leeds Rhinos’ own Harry Newman and Hull KR man Joe Burgess. With Newman preferring to play on the right, his selection should allow Herbie Farnworth to switch flanks to play on the left. There’s no Dom Young through injury.

Mikolaj Oledzki has struggled for minutes in the series but he could be given the opportunity to start on his home ground with Mike McMeeken carrying plenty of threat off the bench. Kallum Watkins looks set to start on home turf, too, with Kai Pearce-Paul and Morgan Knowles making up the pack.

Morgan Smithies impressed off the bench last week and he can expect to play another big role. Alex Walmsley might just be the man to drop out of the fold though after struggling to make a positive impact through the middle and that opens up the space for Owen Trout to come onto the bench.

Daryl Clark is the only man to have scored a try for England this series and he probably deserves the chance to come off the bench this week.

Predicted England team to face Australia: AJ Brimson; Joe Burgess, Harry Newman, Herbie Farnworth, Tom Johnstone; Mikey Lewis, Harry Smith; Matty Lees, Jez Litten, Mikolaj Oledzki; Kallum Watkins, Kai Pearce-Paul; Morgan Knowles

Bench: Daryl Clark, Mike McMeeken, Morgan Smithies, Owen Trout.

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