Official team lists, updates and injury news for the opening Test match of the 2025 Ashes series at Wembley.
The Ashes Team Lists: First Test – Wembley
England v Kangaroos, Sunday 12.30pm (AEDT) at Wembley Stadium, London
* Note: England listed in alphabetical order
England: Titans utility AJ Brimson is set to make his Test debut for England after being one of five NRL stars named in Shaun Wane’s 19-man squad for the Ashes series opener at Wembley Stadium. Brimson, who successfully changed his international eligibility to England earlier this year through his mother’s English heritage, is joined by Knights winger Dom Young, Wests Tigers recruit Kai Pearce-Paul, Cowboys second-rower John Bateman and Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth. Dolphins-bound lock Morgan Knowles has been preferred to Raiders forward Morgan Smithies. Former Raiders playmaker George Williams will captain England and he is set to partnered in the halves by Rob Burrow Award winner Mikey Lewis, who guided Hull KR to victory in the Super League grand final. With Jack Welsby expected to start at fullback, Brimson is likely to be given the No.14 role.
Kangaroos: Fullback Reece Walsh, winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, centre Gehamat Shibasaki and edge forward Keaon Koloamatangi will make their Kangaroo debuts at Wembley. Shibasaki and fellow Broncos premiership winner Kotoni Staggs form a new centre pairing for Australia. Halves Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary combine for the first time steering the green and gold to glory in the 2022 World Cup final while winger Josh Addo-Carr returns for his first Test since that decider against Samoa at Old Trafford. Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui plays his first Test for Australia since the 2023 Pacific Cup final while Tom Dearden and Lindsay Collins will come from the bench after starting in last year’s Pacific Cup final win over Tonga XIII.
