What England can expect in first Ashes Test as star-studded Australia team predicted

The rugby league Ashes begins on Saturday and Australia are expected to name a team packed full of NRL stars.

Australia are heavy favourites to retain the Ashes despite the fact this series is the first time the competition has been contested in 22 years.

In fact, England have not won a rugby league Ashes series since the 1970s with the parents of many of those competing not even being born back then.

Ahead of next year’s Rugby League World Cup, set to be held in Australia and Papua New Guinea, Shaun Wane’s side have a major chance to set down a marker if they’re able to claim a Test or even the series from the Kangaroos.

To do so, they’ll have to beat a team that, on paper, far outweighs the talent that England have with many suggesting that only centre Herbie Farnworth would have the quality to play for Kevin Walters’ side.

Those in Australia have been predicting how the Aussies might line up and based on the predicted XIII, that assessment might not be too wrong.

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How Australia could line up in first rugby league Ashes Test

The Daily Telegraph have named the XIII and four interchanges they deem likely to start the first Test on Saturday and it includes a host of debutants, including Clive Churchill award winner Reece Walsh.

Walsh took the NRL Grand Final by storm, earning praise for both his offensive and defensive prowess and the Brisbane star will now be challenged to do the same against Shaun Wane’s side.

Another debutant will be Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki who has had quite an incredible rise in 2025, going from outside the top 30 to playing State of Origin, winning the Grand Final, and now potentially debuting for his nation.

Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is another who could debut with the Sydney Roosters man set to become a dual-code international with World Cup winner Josh Addo-Carr expected on the opposite wing.

Stars Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster look set to play in the halves behind a pack fronted by Patrick Carrigan and anchored by Isaiah Yeo, though thankfully for England, Payne Haas won’t feature after declaring for Samoa.

The Australian bench could feature Tom Dearden as the utility with Lindsay Collins, having arrived at camp late after his wedding, an option alongside Reuben Cotter and Souths Keon Koloamatangi.

Predicted Australia squad per the Daily Telegraph

XIII: Reece Walsh, Josh Addo-Carr, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Patrick Carrigan, Hudson Young, Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo

Interchanges: Tom Dearden, Keaon Koloamatangi, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter