Predicted England line-up for second Rugby League Ashes Test as Shaun Wane set to make key Jack Welsby-AJ Brimson call

England are set to make numerous changes in their second Test in the Rugby League Ashes against Australia, as they look to level the series and avoid defeat to the Kangaroos with a game to spare.

This week, head coach Shaun Wane has admitted that he will make “two to four” switches from the side that lost 26-6 at Wembley, and whilst he refused to say who in particular, there were some players who certainly need to step up this week in training if they want to have another crack at the Aussies this week.

With that in mind, we have taken a stab at predicting Wane’s team selection on Saturday afternoon, as Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium plays host to the second Test of the three-game series.

The Kangaroos have already named their squad, doing so on Tuesday, and making just one change to their side.

Captain Isaah Yeo is ruled out due to concussion protocols, after suffering a head knock in the eighth minute of the game last week. He is replaced by club teammate Lindsay Smith, and he will start from the bench, promoting Lindsay Collins to the front row and moving Patrick Carrigan to his more familiar position of loose forward.

Here is how we think England will line-up, in what is a do or die game for England and this Ashes series.

Shaun Wane set to ring the changes as England’s Rugby League Ashes line-up predicted

Starting at the back, one player who has had his critics for his performance at Wembley is Jack Welsby. The St Helens full-back was underwhelming with his efforts in the capital, and whilst his defence for Angus Crichton’s first try has been the talking point, his attacking play was limited too. Australia were able to close him down at almost every opportunity, which often stopped any sort of momentum England were trying to build in good-ball position.

AJ Brimson is someone dubbed by the Australian media as a man who has to start for England, and for what it’s worth, they are probably right. However, Wane trusts Welsby and despite not having his best game, knows he has that flair in his locker that can unlock the Kangaroos attack.

Brimson’s versatility means that he probably starts on the bench, and will come on in either the halves or for Welsby at full-back. His inclusion, though, will mean that one of the two hookers will have to be left out of the squad.

That person is expected to be Daryl Clark. Despite scoring England’s only try of the game, Jez Litten was by far the better nine on Saturday, and earned his place in the starting side. The Hull KR man has shown that he can play the full 80 minutes, and has done so on many occasions at club level this year.

The wingers and centres don’t need to be changed, as on the whole they weren’t the problem. Herbie Farnworth picked up a slight knee issue in the game last week, however there is no major concern from the England camp and should be fit to play in the second Test.

The halves, whilst ineffective at times, also don’t need much work doing to them. Litten starting adds that third kicker, and whilst England couldn’t really pose a threat to the Aussies, that was mainly down to their lack of fire power in the middle of the field.

That brings us on the pack. Changes need to be made here if England are to have any chance of levelling the series.

The starting front rowers, Ethan Havard and Matty Lees, made 73 metres from 11 carries between them, something that would be considered poor at Super League level, let alone Ashes standard. Compare that to the Kangaroos’ Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, they ran over double that, which proves the physicality from England just was not there.

Morgan Smithies’ omission from last week’s initial squad was met with confusion from fans, and his aggression is something that England must utilise this week.

The Canberra man simply needs to be in the squad, and he probably needs to start, too. Getting that physicality in early could really set the tone that England mean business and are not prepared to let the series get away from them.

If England want that aggression from the off, starting Knowles and Smithies would go a long way to achieving that. Smithies can be spelled with Owen Trout or Mike McMeeken, even Mikolaj Oledzki if selected, before coming on for a second stint later in the game. Knowles will likely play the full 80 minutes once again.

Back-rowers Kai Pearce-Paul and John Bateman retain their place, but the NRL duo both need to improve and up their defensive toughness if they are to help their side earn the victory.

England predicted side to face Australia in Rugby League Ashes second Test: 1. Jack Welsby, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Jake Wardle, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Tom Johnstone, 6. George Williams, 7. Mikey Lewis, 8. Morgan Knowles, 9. Jez Litten, 10. Matty Lees, 11. John Bateman, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. AJ Brimson, 15. Owen Trout, 16. Mike McMeeken, 17. Alex Walmsley