here’s everything you need to know before the ABK ASHES second TEST BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA AT everton’s hill dickinson stadium this saturday.
Tickets (Sold Out)
Supporters are reminded that the Second and Third Ashes Test matches are sold-out, which means no further tickets are available to purchase. The Hill Dickinson Stadium Ticket Office – located in the South East corner – will be open from 11:30am until half-time for any ticket queries on the day.
Fans with tickets for Saturday’s fixture can download their digital/print @ home tickets now. To ensure you have the most up to date ticket information, please click on the link within your confirmation email to download your tickets.
England Squad
England head coach Shaun Wane has made three changes to his 19-player squad for the Second Test as Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies and Kallum Watkins replace John Bateman, Ethan Havard and Jack Welsby.
🏴 Congratulations to Harry Smith and Jake Wardle, who have been included in @England_RL 19-player squad to face Australia in the second ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes Test!#WWRL https://t.co/hjFqu3xia4
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) October 30, 2025
Australia Squad
Australia head coach Kevin Walters has been forced into one change after Isaah Yeo failed a head injury assessment during the opening match. Yeo’s Penrith Panthers teammate Lindsay Smith has been named on the bench, with Harry Grant to lead the team out as captain.
LOCKED IN 🔒
Kevin Walters has confirmed Harry Grant will captain the Kangaroos in this Saturday’s Second Test at Liverpool’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. pic.twitter.com/6N2dvobVJp
— Kia Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 28, 2025
Previous Meetings
England must win at Hill Dickinson Stadium to avoid losing the Ashes Series after Australia claimed a 26-6 victory in the opener at Wembley Stadium.
Ethan Havard and Jake Wardle started in the capital as Reece Walsh and Angus Crichton scored twice for the Kangaroos with Daryl Clark adding a late consolation in front of a record British Ashes crowd of 60,812.
Quotes From Camp
Reflecting on the First Test, Wane said: “We did some good things, but not enough. We will look to challenge Australia in more areas and hopefully end our sets better – the knock on effect of that will be huge.”
Wigan centre Jake Wardle, who played the full 80 minutes at Wembley, shared his excitement ahead of the Second Test: “The main thing is we’ve taken a lot of positives out the game whilst learning a lot of lessons. We’re in a do or die situation this week as we don’t want to lose the Ashes. We are at a stadium where the crowd are right on top of you so the atmosphere is going to be electric.”
Read Jake Wardle’s full preview HERE.
Hill Dickinson Stadium
With Saturday’s Second Test sold-out, supporters are advised to arrive at the stadium early to beat the queues at the turnstiles and soak up the full build-up. Hospitality will be open from 12:00pm with General Admission turnstiles to open at 12:30pm.
With many supporters visiting the stadium for the first time, fans are advised that road closures and parking restrictions will be in place in the vicinity of the stadium on match and event days. Please follow travel advice and plan your journeys in advance using Merseytravel’s useful guide HERE.
A dedicated Fan Zone for all Rugby League fans will be located in the Plaza, outside the stadium. Opening three hours prior to kick off, the Fan Zone will offer supporters the chance to enjoy food and drink (including alcohol) while listening to the latest sounds from our resident DJ.
Inside the ground, matchday hosts will interact with supporters at 1:20pm before the players come out to warm up at 1:50pm. Make sure you’re in your seat by 2:20pm when the teams re-enter to a must-see pyro display ahead of the national anthems, with England’s to be sung by Laura Wright.
A full spectators guide is available HERE.
Match Officials
Grant Atkins from the NRL’s Match Officials Panel will referee the Second Test. A final decision on the match officials for the third Test will be made following a review of the performances of the first two Tests under agreed parameters.
How To Follow
Watch Live
All three test matches will be shown live on BBC TV – BBC One and BBC iPlayer – with coverage to start at 2pm.
Social Media
Keep up-to-date with all the action on matchday via England Rugby League’s social media platforms on X, Facebook and Instagram.
