England vs Australia: Rugby league Ashes Second Test predictions, team news, betting tips and odds
England vs Australia: Key info for the Ashes
Dates Saturday, October 25-Saturday, November 8
Series schedule
Oct 25 – First Test England 6-26 Australia, Wembley
Nov 1 – Second Test Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
Nov 8 – Third Test Headingley, Leeds
TV All three Tests will be broadcast live on BBC One
In their first Ashes clash against England in 22 years, Australia carried on where they left off with a 26-6 victory over their hosts at Wembley last weekend.
Shaun Wane’s team failed to take advantage of some solid field position and their lack of sustained pressure on the Australian defence was the cause of their downfall at the national stadium.
A trip to Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium awaits both teams and Wane and his squad will hope a return to the rugby league heartlands can bring them good fortune.
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England vs Australia betting tips & predictions
Best bets
England +18
2pts Evs Paddy Power
Second half to be highest-scoring half
1pt 10-11 BoyleSports
Hosts to dig in with the series on the line
Twenty-two was the number repeated over and over again before the first Ashes Test between England and Australia at Wembley and yet it was a manic 26 minutes of action that saw the game decided last weekend.
If any die-hard England fan had forgotten how good Australia are, they were reminded in brutal fashion, as England’s chances of winning the first Ashes match between the two sides since 2003 evaporated after a sloppy start to the second half.
Such is Australia’s dominance in rugby league that teams usually need to play mistake-free rugby to beat them and England failed to handle the occasion. Shaun Wane’s team will have been relatively relaxed to see the scoreboard read 0-8 as they jogged in for half-time, but by the 71st minute, folk had already started rushing towards the tube and heading for Kings Cross to make their way back home.
The scoreline rightly suggests that Australia deserved to win, but the hosts had plenty of positives to take from the trip to the capital. While the contest was not decided on them, two surprise decisions from the officials put the game firmly in Australia’s favour and England had two near-certain tries halted by the brilliance of Australia full-back Reece Walsh.
England’s start was encouraging and while they are likely to fall short again over 80 minutes, there’s enough quality in their squad to make the second Test more memorable.
Wane makes tweaks to find an edge
After seeing some players fail to perform at their best, Wane has made changes for the second Test and it could give them the spark they need.
Full-back AJ Brimson is set to make his England debut at full-back, while the NRL ace will be joined by Morgan Smithies, who also plays his domestic rugby in Australia. Having two players in the team who face the Aussies every week will be a boost, as will the inclusion of Harry Smith. His kicking game was desperately missed last week, while the experience of playing on the big stage that Kallum Watkins brings can never be a negative.
Like last week, England can keep this game tight in the first half and if they take some of their chances, they should give the crowd something to get behind as they try to keep the series alive.
Ultimately, the tourists look a level above in most areas and it may take a few Ashes series for England to bridge the gap.
Key stats for England vs Australia
♦ Australia have not lost an Ashes series since 1970
♦ England’s last Test win over the Aussies came in 2006, when they still competed as Great Britain
♦ Kangaroos winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored 24 NRL tries for Sydney Roosters after his switch from rugby union
♦ England beat New Zealand 20-14 on their list visit to Liverpool for an international game
England vs Australia first Test team news and predicted line-ups
England
AJ Brimson will make his England debut at full-back after replacing Jack Welsby in the starting 13. John Bateman drops out due to illness, while Ethan Havard has been dropped. Kallum Watkins and Morgan Smithies come into the extended matchday squad.
19-man squad: AJ Brimson, Daryl Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Tom Johnstone, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, Mike McMeeken, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul, Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies, Owen Trout, Alex Walmsley, Jake Wardle, Kallum Watkins, George Williams, Dom Young.
Australia
Coach Kevin Walters has only made one change to his squad, with captain Isaah Yeo missing out due to a concussion, with Lindsay Collins taking his place.
Starting line-up: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Lindsay Collins, 9. Harry Grant (c), 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Patrick Carrigan.
Interchange: 14. Tom Dearden, 15. Lindsay Smith, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Keaon Koloamatangi
Reserves: Bradman Best, Jacob Preston, Mitchell Moses.
England vs Australia betting odds
Sign up with Betfred to bet on the 2025 Rugby League Ashes. Here are the latest odds for the series and Saturday’s first Test at Wembley.
Series winnerOddsEngland9-1Australia1-20Tie40-1Second TestOddsEngland11-2Australia1-8Draw22-1
Odds correct at time of publishing
Want more top sports betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
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Rugby League Ashes FAQs
When was the last rugby league Ashes series?
The last rugby league Ashes were contested in 2003, when Australia beat Great Britain 3-0.
Where is the 2025 Ashes series being played?
The 2025 Ashes will be played at Wembley, the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool and Headingley, the home of Leeds Rhinos.
Who are the favourites for the 2025 Ashes?
Australia are 1-20 favourites to win the Ashes with England 9-1 to win a series against the Kangaroos for the first time in 55 years after their defeat in London.
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