Mikey Lewis decision made as England line-up for Wembley Test predicted

We’re days away from the first Ashes Test and there’s still plenty of debate around whether Mikey Lewis should start or not.

The Hull KR man offers something that very few players in the England Ashes squad offer and that is genuine X-factor, something he has showcased for the past two years but has now finally produced on the big stage.

His performance in the Grand Final was well worthy of the Man of the Match award with Lewis scoring the opening try and threatening Wigan throughout the 80 minutes.

A slight on his game had been the fact he hadn’t always stepped up on the big stage but with that question answered and his form being the best of England’s three outright halves, surely he would get the nod to start in the Ashes?

We’ve made our prediction based on what we think Shaun Wane will do with Mikey Lewis not the only big decision that’s to be made.

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Will Mikey Lewis play in the first Ashes Test?

He could well play off the bench, but it seems very likely that Mikey Lewis will not be starting for England.

Shaun Wane has made it very clear that he backs captain George Williams, despite the Wire man’s poor form in 2025.

With Williams occupying one spot, it comes down to Mikey Lewis or Harry Smith and whilst the Hull KR man certainly outdoes Smith in a number of areas, many of those which Wane prioritises are the key traits of the Wigan man.

Whilst Lewis’ kicking game has improved, Smith remains one of the best in Super League and England will have to try and win the territory battle with the boot if they’re to beat the Aussies.

Smith is also a better defender, another area where Lewis has improved but not to the heights of Smith and most importantly, the Williams and Smith pairing has been utilised whenever possible since the 2022 World Cup.

Changing that now wouldn’t be like Shaun Wane with the England coach showcasing how much he rewards loyalty and ‘credit in the bank’ given his squad selection.

Australia name squad for first Ashes Test

How England could line up against Australia

With the halves predicted as incumbents Williams and Smith, the rest of the spine is the obvious place to start and despite the intrigue around AJ Brimson, it will likely be Jack Welsby at full-back.

He’s captained England and is certainly England’s best number one at present, though he’s been a victim of Tristan Sailor’s signing and St Helens’ spine issues in 2025.

One man who was a near constant in the Saints spine was Daryl Clark and he could start and play a comparable role to that of Micky McIlorum in the Grand Final, opening the game up and setting a platform before Jez Litten comes off the bench to wreak havoc out of dummy-half.

Onto the backs and it’s tougher with Dom Young likely to occupy one wing meaning it’s Joe Burgess or Tom Johnstone in the other role and we’ve gone with the Hull KR man, who has had a better all-round season.

Herbie Farnworth and Jake Wardle seem obvious choices in the centres but AJ Brimson could be a wildcard there with very little known about his status in the England camp.

As for the forward, Mike McMeeken has been the standout English prop and Matty Lees is another trusted player who can play long minutes.

John Bateman is in the squad for a reason and Wane knows what he gets with the NRL man so he could start with the rangy Kai Pearce-Paul, as Morgan Knowles locks the pack.

The bench will comprise the aforementioned Litten, alongside three forwards in Alex Walmsley, Owen Trout and Morgan Smithies.

Predicted England XIII: Jack Welsby; Dom Young, Herbie Farnworth, Jake Wardle, Joe Burgess; George Williams, Harry Smith, Mike McMeeken, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees; John Bateman, Kai Pearce-Paul; Morgan Knowles

Interchanges: Jez Litten, Alex Walmsley, Owen Trout, Morgan Smithies