“What international rugby league should be” – Wigan Warriors legend hails return of Ashes series

The Ashes kick off this weekend, and the tension is building as England rugby league face Australia in a three-Test series for the first time in over 20 years.

The last time the two faced off was in 2017, as the Kangaroos defeated England to become World Cup Champions. However, 2003 was the last time the Ashes series was contested. In all three games, England lost out by six points or less, and now Shaun Wane’s side will be looking to avenge their predecessors who came so close to achieving glory.

Someone who was part of that Ashes squad in ’03, was Wigan Warriors legend, Andy Farrell. The current Ireland and Lions rugby union head coach spent over a decade in rugby league at the start of his career, and went down as one of the game’s greats, making over 350 appearances for his boyhood club.

The series made up for three of the 45 times the powerful forward donned his country’s colours, and he knows more than most what it’s like to play in one of these prestigious series.

The 50-year-old was a guest on “the Good, the Bad and the Rugby” podcast, and he gave his thoughts on what the upcoming series will mean to the game as a whole, and for the players who get a chance to test themselves against the best in the world.

Admitting that these types of match-ups are the pinnacle, he can’t wait to see such a historic event make it’s return.

“It takes you back to the day of what international rugby league should be all about and that’s a three-game series,” said Farrell. “Getting Australia back over, with the venues of Wembley, the new Everton ground and Leeds… they’re going to be special days.”

Asked if he will be watching the series, he said: “100% it’s going to be unreal.”

He later continued that point: “England, or Great Britain back in the day, coming together, this is big. This is big for us, it’s special. It’s special because it’s not been around for two decades. I certainly wouldn’t bet against them, because you’re so lucky to represent your country in something like that, [something] that has been missing for so long, it’s special times for these English players.”

Australia have already named their squad for the first Test at Wembley, and it includes four debutants, with NRL Grand Final star Reece Walsh the headline inclusion.

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