How to watch rugby league on TV as Ashes return with England v Australia free to air

The rugby league Ashes are finally here and even better they’re available to watch on free to air TV as part of a weekend packed full of action.

Wembley will play host to England versus Australia with the two sides meeting for the first time since the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, a game that the Kangaroos won 6-0.

England have waited a long time to try and avenge that and they’ll see this Ashes series as a major chance, especially given the fact it is the first Ashes series since 2003, with England or Great Britain not winning a series since 1970.

That old rivalry is reignited this weekend but it’s not the only rugby league that is available to watch on TV this weekend with internationals set to be played on Saturday and Sunday, including two World Cup qualifiers.

How, when and where to watch rugby league on TV this week

Saturday 25th October

The action starts early on Saturday but for fans in England, the main event comes at 2:30 pm with England taking on Australia live on BBC One.

Coverage will start at 2:00 pm with Warrington Wolves boss Sam Burgess among the pundits at Wembley as England seek out history.

Far before that is the first batch of rugby league for the day with Sky Sports the place to watch on TV as the Cook Islands Women’s and Men’s sides take on Tonga and Papua New Guinea respectively in the Pacific Championships, with those games running back to back from 4:00 am onwards.

Starting midway through England’s clash with Australia is France’s World Cup qualifier against Jamaica with no coverage confirmed yet but chances that International Rugby League or the FFR will broadcast the game on YouTube.

Sunday 26th October

It’s an even earlier start on Sunday with the Australian Jillaroos hosting Samoa at 3:00 am before Samoa take on Tonga in the men’s Pacific Championships, a game where a host of Super League players will be playing.

There’s women’s World Cup qualifying in the evening as well with Fiji taking on Nigeria for a spot at next year’s tournaments, with Ireland facing Canada before that after they lost the semi-finals mid-week. Those games will be available to watch on the CBC Sports YouTube channel here.

Rugby League on TV this weekend

Saturday 25th October

Tonga v Cook Islands (W) @ 4:00 am on Sky Sports Mix

Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands (M) @ 6:00 am on Sky Sports Mix

England v Australia (M) @ 2:30 pm on BBC One

France v Jamaica (M) @ 4:00 pm with coverage TBC

Sunday 26th October

Australia v Samoa (W) @ 3:00 am on Sky Sports Mix

Samoa v Tonga (M) @ 5:00 am on Sky Sports Mix

Ireland v Canada (W) @ 5:00 pm on CBC YouTube

Nigeria v Fiji (W) @ 7:30 on CBC YouTube

Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.