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We cast an eye over the rest of the England squad hoping to win the Ashes for the first time since 1970.
Super League players
Joe Burgess (Hull KR): What’s an England team without a Burgess? No relation to Sam, George, Tom or Luke, Joe scored 19 tries in 19 games this season, including two in the grand final triumph against Wigan, to earn a recall after 10 years in the international wilderness. Played four games for the Roosters and nine for South Sydney in 2016, scoring seven tries. Scored a hat-trick for Wigan in their 2017 World Club Challenge (WCC) win against Cronulla.
Joe Burgess scores in last week’s Super League grand final.Credit: Getty Images
Daryl Clark (St Helens): A veteran of 15 Tests for England and Great Britain, the 32-year-old hooker is a real threat out of dummy-half, as evidenced by 89 tries from 336 Super League games. The 2014 Super League Man of Steel helped England to two wins over Samoa last year.
Ethan Havard (Wigan): Bulgarian-born prop who has started up front for Wigan in the past two grand finals, as well as in two Test wins against Samoa last year.
Morgan Knowles (St Helens): Not the biggest middle forward at 89kg, but a workhorse who featured in four grand final wins and the 2023 WCC triumph against Penrith. Played in eight Tests for England. Averaged 32 tackles a game for Saints this season. Likely to fill the vacancy created by Victor Radley’s unavailability.
Mikey Lewis with the Super League trophy after his man-of-the-match performance in the grand final.Credit: Getty Images
Matty Lees (St Helens): A three-time Super League grand final winner, the 27-year-old prop is undefeated in nine Tests, which includes three wins against Tonga and two against Samoa.
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR): There is no player NRL talent scouts will be watching more closely than the 24-year-old playmaker - even though he recently signed a new five-year contract with the champions. The 2024 Man of Steel has scored 43 tries in the past two seasons, and 84 tries in his Super League career. One of them came last week in the grand final triumph against Wigan, after which he was named man of the match to underline his reputation as one of England’s hottest prospects. Unbeaten in five Tests.
Jez Litten (Hull KR): One of Super League’s standout hookers this season. Scored eight tries in 26 games, including one in the grand final win against Wigan.
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield): The towering 31-year-old prop scored nine tries in 24 games this season. His 10 Tests have delivered five wins against Samoa, and three against Tonga.
Harry Newman (Leeds): Debuted in Super League as a 17-year-old in a 34-0 trouncing from Wigan. Has since strung together 129 Super League games, scoring 46 tries. Yet to lose in six Tests.
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds): At 190cm and 116kg, the Polish-born enforcer gives England the size to match fire with fire.
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield): The 30-year-old winger has been a prolific tryscorer in Super League for Wakefield and Catalans, crossing 128 times in 174 games. Has also scored seven tries in five Tests.
Harry Smith (Wigan): The playmaker delivered 19 try assists this season to help Wigan reach the grand final. Unbeaten in seven Tests and a reliable goalkicker, who has landed 282 two-pointers in Super League.
Owen Trout (Leigh): The 26-year-old back-rower will be hoping to prove he’s not a fish out of water if he makes his Test debut against the Kangaroos.
Alex Walmsley (St Helens): The 196cm, 155kg enforcer hasn’t played for England since 2021, yet 11 tries this season suggest he’s never been in better form. Has won three Super League grand finals, the 2023 WCC and appeared in 10 Tests.
Jake Wardle (Wigan): Younger bother of Joe, who spent a forgettable season at the Knights in 2016. Arguably the best centre in Super League, having scored 67 tries in 157 games. Hoping to add to his lone Test appearance.
Kallum Watkins (Leeds): Chosen presumably for the experience he offers after 376 Super League games and 164 tries.
England skipper George Williams.Credit: Getty Images
Jack Welsby (St Helens): A utility back and multiple title winner in Super League, he has played five-eighth, centre, fullback and come off the bench in his 12 Tests for England.
George Williams (Warrington): The incumbent England captain, Williams is best remembered for his 32-game stint with Canberra in the NRL. Now a veteran of 256 Super League games and 21 Tests for England.
NRL PLAYERS
John Bateman (North Queensland): Found a new lease of life in Townsville, at the age of 32. England’s most experienced player, with 30 Tests under his belt.
Kai Pearce-Paul was arguably Newcastle’s best player in 2025.Credit: Getty Images
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast): The Gold Coast utility and former Queensland Origin star has changed his international allegiance and been welcomed on board by the Poms. Expected to play fullback or five-eighth against the Roos.
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins): On track to win the Dally M centre-of-the-year award before suffering a long-term hamstring injury. Expected to line up opposite his former Broncos teammate, Kotoni Staggs.
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Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle): The towering back-rower was arguably the Knights’ best player this season, averaging 39 tackles and 108 metres per game. The Tigers-bound 24-year-old also slipped 29 offloads and will be a handful for the Aussies.
Morgan Smithies (Canberra): Has played 49 games for the Raiders over the past two seasons. Would appear certain to feature somewhere in Wane’s engine-room rotation.
Dominic Young (Newcastle): A disrupted season after leaving the Roosters to re-join the wooden spooners. Nine tries in six Tests suggests he will be one of England’s main strike weapons.
