‘Should be embarrassed if…’ – Jon Wilkin makes bold statement as stark international rugby league facts laid bare

Pundit Jon Wilkin has outlined the stark reality of international rugby league and England’s Ashes chances against Australia, even claiming that the Kangaroos should be “embarrassed” if they don’t win the series 3-0, having ‘whacked’ England in each game.

It’s fair to say that England were whacked in the first Test, losing 26-6 at Wembley with Australia not really getting out of second gear as they made light work of Shaun Wane’s side.

Amid all the build up of the rugby league Ashes returning for the first time in 22 years and England seeking a first series win in over 50, hopes were quickly slashed as Australia won with ease.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Jon Wilkin assessed: “It was all set up for a sparkling England performance. It really didn’t materialise, it was a tough afternoon for England. That flattened the atmosphere at Wembley so much.”

Jon Wilkin ‘wowed’ by England’s changes for second Test

One thing it has led to is changes in the England set up with Shaun Wane making three to his 19-man squad, though more are expected within the actual matchday 17 with the most prominent being AJ Brimson to debut at full-back as Jack Welsby is dropped.

“There were certain question marks about the 17 he chose for the first test and he’s addressed that,” Wilkin explained.

“Jack Welsby misses out of the England team. Just 12 months ago, if you said that, you’d think you’re crazy.”

Since the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, only Jack Welsby has played in every single England game but that run now comes to a close with Brimson set to play full-back and the halves pairing of Harry Smith and George Williams to reunite.

“He was under pressure to make changes and I was sceptical,” admitted Wilkin, adding: “I didn’t think he’d make as many changes as he has but he’s gone back to what he knows, what worked against Samoa, what worked against Tonga and that’s the reliability of Harry Smith as the fulcrum of the team to kick and organise.

“Mikey Lewis drops to the bench, but maybe the big story is Jack Welsby. Jack Welsby out of the team, wow.”

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Australia should be “embarrassed” if they don’t win the series 3-0

Whilst Wilkin was shocked about Shaun Wane making changes, one thing he wasn’t shocked about was the result of the opening Test and he’s now argued that the same can be expected in Tests two and three, regardless of changes.

Explaining his stance, he said: “Just for some context, 11 times the number of people participate in rugby league in Australia.

“The salary cap is four to five times bigger than the sport in this country yet we approached the series with hope that England could do something.”

He continued: “It’s the number one sport in Australia. The commercial side of the game is 10 times more successful than it is in this country. There’s 10 times the amount of people who play it.

“I think it’s an embarrassment if Australia don’t beat us 3-0. I think they should be embarrassed. If they don’t come here and whack us three times, I think it’s embarrassing on them.I think it reflects worse on them than it does on us.”

As for rugby league in England, Wilkin gave a damning assessment: “The state of the game in this country is exactly where it’s been. It’s bound by history, the inertia of history and geography as well. We’ve been stuck in the north. I think it’s not comparing apples with apples. It’s very likely to be 3-0.”