England have been criticised for failing to pick more NRL based players amid calls for AJ Bimson to come into the team to keep the Ashes series alive following a disappointing display in the opener.

England trailed 26-0 before losing the first Test 26-6 in a comprehensive hiding from Australia, with fullback Jack Welsby and half Mikey Lewis struggling against the Kangaroos superstars led by man-of-the-match Reece Walsh.

Titans star Brimson was 18th man after switching his allegiance to England ahead of the Ashes series, while there was no place for Morgan Smithies in the 17, despite him starring in the Raiders’ charge to the NRL minor premiership.

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Kangaroos legend Laurie Daley was disappointed with England’s first up performance and expected more after all the hype coming out of their camp in the lead-up to the series.

“Very disappointed in the way England played, it could be a long campaign for England in the next two weeks,” Daley said on Sky Sports’ The Big Sports Breakfast.

“Australia are only going to get better. England will get better, but it wasn’t a great Test match for them.

“Unfortunately, the Poms didn’t live up to their end of the bargain. If that’s the best they have got it is going to be difficult for them for the rest of this series. I was expecting more from England.”

Daley called for England to make urgent changes and would start with fullback Jack Welsby being axed, after an inexplicable defensive blunder gifted Angus Crichton one of his two tries in the series opener.

“I think they need to make some changes,” Daley said.

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Jack Welsby struggled at fullback for England.Source: Getty Images

“Jack Welsby is obviously a very good player in the English Super League, but that incident with Angus Crichton when he scored the try, he must have just lost all bearings of where he was. I’ve never seen a fullback do that.

“He had to go forward and you go forward in that situation, but he stayed back and gave Angus a free run to the line. If he moves forward he gets an opportunity to stop him.

“I just couldn’t believe that decision by an experienced player with a big reputation in England.”

What changes should England make? | 02:37

Daley couldn’t understand why Brimson was not in the 17 somewhere and questioned if England had ulterior motives in picking Super League players ahead of him.

“Brimson has got to come in because at least he brings a bit of speed,” Daley said.

“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.”

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AJ Brimson was 18th man in the first Test.Source: Getty Images

There were even calls for Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth to switch from centre to fullback to get him more touches and improve England’s defence at the back.

Fox League expert Michael Ennis agreed Welsby is under pressure to keep his spot after a performance that lacked purpose and intent in London.

“Herbie has said before that he would like to spend some time at fullback, but there is just a luxury of riches there at his club side the Dolphins,” Ennis said on Fox League.

Crichton scores double at Wembley | 00:42

“Jack Welsby no doubt is under pressure. AJ Brimson 18th man being left out of the side was really surprising and the other one Mikey Lewis, who has been great for Hull KR this year, really struggled to have an impact on the game, so it will be fascinating to see what Shaun Wane does.”

However, Ennis would keep Farnworth at centre and start Brimson at fullback in a bid to capitalise on the good work from halfback George Williams around the ruck.

“I think Brimson has to come into the side and through that middle part of the field is where he is most suited, so I would play him at fullback,” Ennis said.

Shaun Wane has been urged to play more NRL stars in the second Test.Source: Getty Images

“I think he is a brilliant fullback and that support play is up there with the best in the world and the best in our competition.

“How often have we seen half chances turned into points with Brimson’s instinct and ability and speed to push through the middle of the field?

“Had we seen him around George Williams at Wembley, they might have posed a different threat.”

Another bonus in picking Brimson is his experience against Australia’s star-studded spine, having played against them consistently in the NRL and with them for Queensland.

“The other thing is he has played against this Australian side,” Ennis said.

Herbie stops Walsh’s Wembley magic show | 00:31

“He plays against Cleary, Munster and Walsh and these guys every single week.

“He is desperate to get onto that international stage, so that enthusiasm would only add another layer to his game.

“I think the two under pressure to keep their positions are Lewis and Welsby and one way or another I think he (Brimson) will definitely be in the 17.”

Daley echoed Ennis’ sentiments that England should have picked more Australian based players to give them an edge against the Kangaroos’ NRL stars.

“I even thought Morgan Smithies should have been in the team somewhere,” Daley said.

“He is getting week in and week out experience in the NRL. That is two players straight away.

Raiders star Morgan Smithies missed the England 17 in London.Source: News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

“Billy Smith I would have had him in the squad.

“The problem is they believe the Super League is a really strong competition and they want to pick as many as they can from there to show everyone what they are capable of.

“I think that would be the main reason, but I think to win, you would have been better off picking all those blokes in the NRL that are eligible to play for England because they are getting a taste of it week in and week out, so they are not as daunted.”