England

England head coach Shaun Wane, speaking to BBC One: "I'm looking forward to it. I just want to make sure that Australia sees the best of us today."

On England being underdogs: "Yes. We have lost loads of Tests. We have not won the Ashes for fifty-odd years. We are English - we have grit and determination.

"Their catch is huge in Australia. I'm very confident with what we have got in our team. It will be a huge match for us to see where we are at.

"I would love to drive away from here 1-0 up, but we need to work hard.

"I want to put pressure on them – I want Walsh to earn his stripes. We are going to put him under pressure."

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC One

These guys are the biggest names in the business.

Mark Nawaqanitawase is an absolute monster of a player. When he gets in the air, he is sensational. When he hits the ground he has amazing footwork.

Another one of their strike forces is Josh Addo-Carr. He is one of the fastest men in the world at rugby.

Then this guy, Reece Walsh, when he gets the ball in the hand, there is no other player on the planet that is this devastating.

James Graham
Former England forward on BBC One

The opportunity that these lads have got, I wish I could turn back time. England need to start well and play for 80 minutes.

If there is one thing that England need to do it's tee off on someone and apply some lawful violence - go hurt some of these Australians.

Sam Burgess
Former England captain on BBC One

Belief is a huge word that the England team is going to dig into. It will matter in the deep ends of the game. That's when belief will really come in. England will be confident and they'll have belief in who they are. It is going to be a wonderful opener.

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC One

It is 19-20 to Australia in the history of the competition. We are just one off them!

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport

Image source, SWpix

Having made the journey from Blacko in Lancashire to the bright lights of Brisbane, England's Herbie Farnworth has emerged as an NRL star in Australia.

As arguably the best centre in the world, he is also the "cheat code" England hope can help deliver a first Ashes series victory over the Kangaroos since 1970.

Farnworth is one of six men in Shaun Wane's England squad who play in Australia's premier competition.

And his abilities cannot be underestimated, even as former Australia forward Aaron Woods and other pundits from outside the UK have provided fuel for Wane's squad with withering comments about their quality.

A key member of the side who reached the World Cup semi-final in 2022, Farnworth was named as one of the two Dally M centres of the year in both 2023 and 2024 and was instrumental in England's 2-0 win over Samoa 12 months ago - scoring three tries and emerging as the series' top metre maker.

During 2025, Farnworth exhibited his class for the Dolphins, as he crossed for 12 tries in 19 appearances until a hamstring injury ended his season in early August and affected the Queensland side's push for the finals.

Wane has repeatedly referred to him as "one of the best centres in the world", a view endorsed by England captain George Williams, who looks set to be a club-mate of Farnworth's in the near future.

"Herbie is unbelievable," said the England stand-off. "He is one of the best players in the world at the minute. He is a cheat code playing in the NRL so we welcome him into our team with open arms.

"He creates something from nothing. He's a good lad too, who I have known for a long time. He kills it in the NRL.

"In the last series we played against Samoa, it was like he was playing a different game to anyone else. He was just running through like he was playing under-sevens."

Image source, Getty Images

England must avoid a repeat of some agonising late defeats if they are to win the first rugby league Ashes series for 22 years, says coach Shaun Wane.

Wane's side have been haunted by a golden point extra-time defeat by Samoa in their World Cup semi-final three years ago.

There is also historical pain to overcome when they face Australia at Wembley on Saturday.

The last time the Ashes were staged, in 2003, Australia won all three Tests against a Great Britain side made up largely of English players.

All three were closely fought, with Australia winning each by six points or fewer. Britain also led during the second half of every game.

"I have talked with the players [about late defeats]," Wane told a media conference at Wembley on Tuesday.

"No matter how close we come is irrelevant. I have spoken to the players about scenarios, and the importance of switching on for 80 minutes.

"We will show Australia respect, and make sure we are switched on right to the very end."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Wembley

England do not have great memories of London. The last time they played in the capital, they lost 27-26 to Samoa at Emirates Stadium in that infamous 2022 World Cup semi-final golden point defeat.

The last time they played Australia in London was in 2016, when they lost 36-18 at London Stadium.

And the last time they played at Wembley, they lost 20-18 to New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup.

Australia

Australia head coach Kevin Walters, speaking to BBC One: "Very excited, particularly coming here today. The first Test brings out a lot of emotion and passion. It is great to be here, and I'm very much looking forward to the 14:30 kick-off."

On debutants and Reece Walsh: "I am excited for all of them to get the opportunity to wear the kangaroo jumper. Reece had a brilliant time back in Australia, but this is a different landscape here at Wembley. He is excited to get out on the field. It is great for these guys to make their debut in this iconic stadium."

On Mikey Lewis: "Everyone watches the Super League anyway, so we are aware of Mikey's talent. Our major focus this week has been about us."

On the gameplan: "A nice aggressive fast start. Conditions look lively, so getting out the blocks solid and fast."

Jamie Peacock
Former England captain on BBC's Rugby League Top 10 podcast

For a British player, the test is playing the best team in the world, which is Australia.

I feel sorry for the players who have not been involved in an Ashes series. It is a great chance for this modern generation to become icons.

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Wembley

This has been a series England manager Shaun Wane has been waiting on for five years.

They were due to meet in the Ashes in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic saw it cancelled. Then, England's shock loss to Samoa prevented a World Cup final meeting in 2022.

Today, the biggest test of Wane's reign has finally arrived.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

With the likes of Reece Walsh, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster and arguably the best player in the world in their ranks, Nathan Cleary, this really is a star-studded Australia side.

And given Mitchell Moses can't even get a game, just how will England cope?

Speaking to BBC Sport, England captain George Williams said the hosts will not be overawed and a series victory could be herald a new era for rugby league in the country: "We respect them but we cannot be in awe of players like that.

"We have to give it our all. They are human, they bleed like us and are emotional like us so let’s give it a go.

"This is the pinnacle and we have to make it a special moment. I think it is what the sport needs in this country. An Ashes win we should get new audiences, new people and new investors in the sport. It’s what we need.

“The demand is there. It has probably been too long since the last one. A winning series would change a lot of things in this country and open so many doors for us, which we want for the sport.”

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Mikey Lewis had not even been to bed after helping Hull KR secure their historic treble, when he received another reason to celebrate.

The 24-year-old is the man of the moment in English rugby league, after his starring role in their Super League Grand Final win over Wigan to complete a sensational season for his club.

Despite this success, it was a matter of debate whether he would be called up for the first Rugby League Ashes series in 22 years, with England rich with talent in the central roles.

But Lewis never doubted he would be part of the first Ashes series since 2003, before getting the good news from coach Shaun Wane.

"I was confident I would get a call up," he told BBC Sport at Wembley before the opening game of the three-match series at the national stadium.

"I knew I had to play well and I have done that. I am honoured and proud to be part of this.

"I was still having a drink with the lads, when Wane called me up it was Sunday morning, and I hadn't been to bed yet. Then we just carried on having beers."

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Image source, SWPix

As of Wedneday, the RFL had already sold 57,000 plus tickets for the first test, so the expectation is that the crowd today will be a UK Ashes record (previously 57,034) and be pushing 60,000.

Image source, RL Commercial

England's team received a welcome visitor to their hotel last night from a man who knows a thing or two about winning the Ashes.

Ben Stokes, the England cricket captain, presented the 17 players on duty today with their shirts, before sitting down to dinner with the team and spending more than three hours with them.

Stokes has a strong rugby league background - his father Ged coached Workington and Whitehaven.

Image source, Australian Kangaroos

I'm not too sure what his rugby league skills are like (although he did get a huge cheer when he caught a pass thrown to him), but American rock star Jon Bon Jovi appeared a very welcome gatecrasher of Australia's captain's run on Friday.

The 63-year-old described the sport "he has watched on television" as like American football but without helmets.

Bon Jovi is playing at Wembley in 2026 and of course knows all about packed houses.

Wonder if the 'Blaze of Glory' might get a run out in the Kangaroos' dressing room.

Jamie Peacock
Former England captain on BBC's Rugby League Top 10 podcast

It's a great time to play Australia. We came through and played against a team who might have had five 'Immortals' in there.

They had Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis, Paul Gallen, some iconic players of the last 20 years.

This current team have got Nathan Cleary, who's going to be a standout head and shoulders. They're reduced by all the Pacific Island switches.

Image source, Getty Images

It has been just over 30 years since England's last win over Australia - back in the opening match of the 1995 World Cup, which was also at Wembley.

Andy Farrell, Chris Joynt and Jason Robinson were all on the scoresheet that day, as well as Paul Newlove, who went over for late interception try late on as England triumphed 20-16.

The late, great Ray French was on commentary that day and if you search around I'm sure you'll be able to find some highlights clips of him describing that action in a way only he could.

If you are looking for a flavour of Ashes drama to whet the appetite before kick-off, you may fancy reliving the first Test in 1994.

After Great Britain captain Shaun Edwards was sent-off in the first half for a high tackle on Bradley Clyde the hosts somehow rallied to win 8-4, with Jonathan Davies scoring a classic try.