AJ Brimson looks certain to make his Test debut for England in the second Ashes game against Australia, after the hosts axed fullback Jack Welsby from their 19-man squad. Cameron Smith, Phil Gould, Michael Ennis and Paul Gallen had all called for England coach Shaun Wane to pick Brimson at fullback for the second game, after he was controversially overlooked for the first.
And it looks like Wane has listened, leaving Welsby out after a horror performance in the 26-6 loss in the first Test. Brimson switched his allegiance from Australia to England earlier this year to honour his English mother.
Cameron Smith (R) had called for former Queensland State of Origin player AJ Brimson (L) to be picked for England. Image: Getty
It means the Gold Coast Titans star is now banned from State of Origin because England are a Tier-1 nation like Australia and New Zealand. Players who represent Pacific nations like Tonga and Samoa are still allowed to play Origin, but Brimson can’t.
The 27-year-old has played four Origin games for Queensland, and helped the Maroons win the series as recently as 2023. He would have come into calculations for Game 3 this year if not for his decision to switch to England. His likely debut on Saturday night means he’ll face off against former Queensland teammates like Reece Walsh, Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, Pat Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
AJ Brimson (L) won the State of Origin series with Queensland in 2023. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Morgan Smithies in England squad for second Ashes Test
Meanwhile, Wane has also called Canberra Raiders player Morgan Smithies into his 19-player squad after he was left out of the first game as well. Wigan halfback Harry Smith and the versatile Kallum Watkins, who had brief NRL experience with the Titans five years ago, are also included.
North Queensland’s John Bateman, who has been reported to be struggling with illness, and Ethan Harvard have both been axed alongside Welsby. “I needed to make some changes to the side that lost last week at Wembley and I have done that,” Wane said.
“The beauty of having such a strong squad is that we are bringing some really talented players into the side ahead of this weekend’s game, but the fact remains we simply need to be better this time around. I want us to show the very best of us, play at the level I know we can and ultimately level this Ashes Series. We are heading to a sold-out Hill Dickinson Stadium at Everton and I have no doubt the English supporters will get behind the team and be that 18th man for us on Saturday afternoon.”
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Speaking after the first Test, Queensland and Kangaroos legend Smith called for Brimson to play. “Fullback or halves, their halves weren’t much better either, they didn’t offer too much in attack, they came up with a few good opportunities but failed to capitalise,” he said on Channel 9. “It took them 75 minutes to score points against this Australian outfit, they were a little bit off their game, they were scrappy.”
Gallen said about Welsby: “The fullback, they were making breaks, he’s a metre out from the try line, all you’ve got to do is run into him and fall over and you’d score a try anyway. They were horrible.”
NSW coach Daley said on Sky Sports radio on Monday: “Brimson has got to come in because at least he brings a bit of speed. It is because they don’t want to put too many Australians in, but they are playing for England, so they are eligible to play for England. They have probably got this thing where, they are Australians playing in the NRL and we will show them how good the Super League is. Well no.”