Shaun Wane has named his 24-man squad for the upcoming rugby league Ashes and he’s made his call on Man of Steel Jake Connor with the Leeds Rhinos man snubbed from selection.
It was widely expected that Connor would not earn a call-up and that’s proven the case with George Williams, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis named as the recognised halves.
Utility back AJ Brimson, who had changed his international allegiance ahead of the series, is selected and could feature anywhere in the back line.
It’s a back line that will not feature Wigan’s Liam Marshall but does feature Hull KR Grand Final hero Joe Burgess after he scored two at Old Trafford. That marks a first call-up since 2015, and there are a couple of others called up for the first time in a while.
Alex Walmsley is named having last played international rugby league in 2021, whilst Kallum Watkins is selected after last playing in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
Shaun Wane names rugby league Ashes squad
The full squad, which can be seen below, comprises six NRL players with 18 named from Super League.
Treble winners Hull KR have three with Burgess joined by Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten whilst runners-up Wigan also boast just three with Luke Thompson left out, as Ethan Havard, Harry Smith and Jake Wardle are named.
John Bateman, AJ Brimson, Herbie Farnworth, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Smithies and Dom Young make up the NRL contingent meaning that Matty Nicholson has missed out.
St Helens, despite finishing fifth, have the most representatives with five whilst Leeds Rhinos have three, Wakefield Trinity two, and Warrington Wolves just one in captain George Williams. Leigh Leopards also have one in Owen Trout.
Speaking on selection, Shaun Wane said: “I’m really excited by the 24 players we have selected ahead of this upcoming Ashes Series.
“There were some tough decisions to be made given the quality we have across both Super League and the NRL and that’s never easy, but I am confident that the 24 selected will give us the best chance of winning this series.
“The return of The Ashes has been a long time coming and we now have the chance to face off against the Kangaroos and look to make history by being the first English side to win The Ashes in over 50 years.”
England Rugby League Ashes squad
John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
Joe Burgess (Hull KR)
Daryl Clark (St Helens)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
Jez Litten (Hull KR)
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)
Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)
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John
October 13, 2025 at 12:24 pm
No doubt everyone will have their list of “never in a million years” and “how can you leave —- out”.
Two comments.
Having disliked Jake Connor almost from the first day I saw him in black and white shirt, he would definitely have been in my team. Yes, a risk, and yes, sometimes invisible (what player isn’t), but he has the ability to open up defences which we will need to stand any chance against Australia, combined with a good kicking game. Based on this year’s performance (as it really should be), what is Harry Smith going to bring to the party? Take Bevan French out of the Wigan squad and Smith is invisible most of the time.
Second point, and me being a bit pedantic. If you are going to list the squad alphabetically by surname, please check the position of the letter J in the alphabet. It doesn’t come between O and P !