Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\nCowboys star Johns Bateman will turn out for England.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cEngland are going to have to tap into different areas of team collision sport that get you victories. <\/p>\n
\u201cLike we\u2019ve seen time and time again with Queensland in Origin, on paper they are not supposed to win, but they do many times. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow, there\u2019s multiple reasons as to how and why that happens, and that is exactly what England will need to tap into.\u201d <\/p>\n
One area that Queensland use to level the playing field is the home ground advantage. While they scored a rare upset in Brisbane this year despite going on to lose the series, many star-studded Blues teams have marched into Suncorp Stadium only to limp out with their tails between their legs. <\/p>\n
Graham urged the England team and its fans to create a similar hostile environment at Wembley, Everton\u2019s Hill Dickinson Stadium and Headingley in Leeds. <\/p>\n
A life-long Everton fan, Graham knows the difference a home crowd can make and wants the crowd to be England\u2019s 18th man. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great that we\u2019re at home, that is a huge advantage for us and not that many players having to travel over there,\u201d Graham said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe NRL England representatives would have gone nice and early. They will be accustomed to the conditions, not so much jet lag. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe crowds, the conditions, the weather, there\u2019s lots that go into it.\u201d <\/p>\n
‘So excited to see Kev’ Walsh joins Roos | 02:01<\/p>\n
Despite the many intangibles, Graham did admit that England have to produce their best game of rugby league twice to win the series. <\/p>\n
But he knows Shaun Wane won\u2019t be devising a game plan that his players can\u2019t execute. <\/p>\n
\u201cEngland are going to have to play their absolute best game to upset Australia and deny them momentum, deny them attacking opportunities and shut down their star players,\u201d Graham said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think Shaun Wane is not going to ask them to do anything that they\u2019re not capable of doing, so that gives me a lot of confidence.\u201d <\/p>\n
But don\u2019t expect England to rely solely on fire and brimstone, grit and passion from their players and supporters. <\/p>\n
Graham noted some of the players in the England team are the best in the world at their position, led by a current Dolphins NRL star. <\/p>\n
Herbie Farnworth is a genuine superstar for England and the Dolphins.Source: AFP<\/p>\n
\u201cHerbie Farnworth is one of the best centres in the world, if not the best, and he will improve England\u2019s chances,\u201d Graham said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure every NRL fan would agree with what he has achieved over the past three to four seasons and what he has cemented himself to be at the Broncos and now the Dolphins. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe is absolutely first class, so he is a real jewel in the crown that lovers of the NRL will know and recognise and one to certainly look out for when it comes to England\u2019s prospects of springing a huge upset in the Ashes.\u201d <\/p>\n
England will be without gun lock Victor Radley due to suspension, but they have recruited another X-factor defector in former Origin star and current Titans fullback AJ Brimson. <\/p>\n
Brimson chose to put his ambitions of a Queensland recall to one side to chase his dream of representing England heading into the next World Cup. <\/p>\n
‘Nath has a good lock on the 7 jersey’ | 01:56<\/p>\n
While Graham doesn\u2019t think he will wear the No.1 for England, he says Brimson could play a significant part in the series in a new role. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe brings a lot of versatility, I have heard Shaun Wane speak about the importance of that, so he is a great option,\u201d Graham said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFullback is his best position although I can\u2019t see anyone but Jack Welsby being the fullback. AJ would be a strong candidate to come off the bench, inject himself into a contest like all good No.14s do. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s made it clear his ambition and desire to play for England, which I think is fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
AJ Brimson was picked for his England debut.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The sceptics will point to Brimson\u2019s selection and Radley\u2019s before him as evidence that England are desperate and need to bring NRL players over from Australia to stay competitive. <\/p>\n
However, Graham knows that Wane would never put anything above the passion of playing for your country and Brimson would have been vetted intensely before getting the green light to join the England camp. <\/p>\n
\u201cShaun Wane is no pushover,\u201d Graham said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would have needed convincing of his absolute commitment to the cause. <\/p>\n
\u201cI trust Shaun Wane in his selection, so I\u2019m delighted that AJ is representing England and in Shaun Wane, I trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Wouldn’t be here without Ricky’ | 01:37<\/p>\n
Leadership and a strong playmaker duo at the scrumbase will also be crucial to beating the Kangaroos. <\/p>\n
Despite his disappointing season in the Super League, former Raiders halfback George Williams is the man to lead England into battle, Graham says. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure George will be a guaranteed starter and will be the England captain,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s achieved so much. He\u2019s had a quiet year at Warrington. They\u2019ve been disappointing, but George stands up in an England shirt. He\u2019s our captain. He will be there, I\u2019m sure of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
George Williams is expected to be England\u2019s halfback and captain.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Williams\u2019 halves partner is less certain, but Graham is tipping grand final hero and Hull KR playmaker Mikey Lewis to get the nod. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho his partner is I guess remains to be seen, but Mikey Lewis was absolutely lighting up the competition, winning the grand final,\u201d Graham said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe had an amazing game in that big game at Old Trafford, so he is probably a big chance to start.\u201d<\/p>\n
England have some classy backs in Welsby and Farnworth and finishers like Knights star Dom Young who can produce tries for England, if Williams and Lewis get them good early ball. <\/p>\n
However, Graham knows the key to beating the Kangaroos is winning the battle up front first. <\/p>\n
Patrick Carrigan, Isaah Yeo, Hudson Young, Angus Crichton and Fa\u2019asuamaleaui are just a few of the names that present a huge challenge for England\u2019s pack. <\/p>\n
Samoa set sight on historic win | 00:46<\/p>\n
However, Graham earmarked a couple of players from his old club St Helens that can more than hold their own against Australia\u2019s intimidating middles. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing the likes of Morgan Knowles, who comes over to the Dolphins next year and Alex Walmsley as well, they are two St Helens players with a lot to offer in the engine room,\u201d Graham said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWalmsley is very unorthodox to tackle. Matty Lees is another St Helens front-rower. Morgan Smithies from the Raiders, I think he\u2019s been fantastic down in Canberra.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got a good solid forward pack there that can do an amazing job. They\u2019re going to have their hands full, but there\u2019s plenty of good quality front-rowers in that pack that can certainly do a job for England.\u201d <\/p>\n
Morgan Smithies has been in hot form for the Raiders in 2025.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
One thing is for certain: interest in the Ashes tour is building. The players and English fans will give Australians a reason to set their alarm clocks and watch. <\/p>\n
With the tour originally scheduled for 2020 before the Covid pandemic hit, England fans have been forced to wait long enough to watch their heroes go toe-to-toe with Australia in their backyard. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a huge tour in the history of rugby league,\u201d Graham said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been such a long time between drinks. Unfortunately Covid just delayed it and kicked it a little bit down the track. Not much we could do as a game, as a sport, as a nation about that. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut it has built the anticipation even more and now it\u2019s here. I\u2019m delighted. I know the English rugby league fans are delighted. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Aussie fans are starting to gather their interest now as well, so this is huge for the game in England and huge for the international game as well and really genuinely as a fan, I\u2019m looking forward to watching these games. I\u2019m super excited.\u201d <\/p>\n
Aussie sides cruise past PNG | 02:27<\/p>\n
Graham sees the Ashes Tour as an opportunity to bring the two hemispheres of the sport together on the international stage outside of the World Cup. <\/p>\n
And with the World Club Challenge facing being cancelled for the second straight season due to logistical problems surrounding the Las Vegas NRL season-opening weekend, Graham is hopeful that too can return to the NRL calendar on a more consistent basis. <\/p>\n
\u201cLook, I understand the difficulties because of Hull KR and their agreement to go to Las Vegas next year, so I don\u2019t know what we can do about it,\u201d Graham said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what the absolute answer is, but I\u2019d love to see the World Club Challenge back on the centre stage. I loved playing it for St Helens. <\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, it brings a lot of eyeballs. It\u2019s something a little bit different. I hope it can be put back in the calendar, but I understand that it\u2019s not as easy as just saying we want it. There are complexities around the fixture scheduling.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m a big supporter of the World Club Challenge and I think it brings the two hemispheres of rugby league together, just like this Ashes tour is doing.\u201d <\/p>\n
Hull KR and England half Mikey Lewis, with the Rob Burrow Award and the Super League grand final trophy.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
SCHEDULE <\/p>\n
First Test <\/p>\n
England vs Kangaroos, Sunday October 26 at Wembley Stadium, 1.30am AEDT <\/p>\n
Second Test <\/p>\n
England vs Kangaroos, Sunday November 2 at Hill Dickinson Stadium 1.30am AEDT <\/p>\n
Third Test <\/p>\n
England vs Kangaroos, Sunday November 11 at Headingley 1.30am AEDT <\/p>\n
ENGLAND ASHES SQUAD<\/p>\n
John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)<\/p>\n
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)<\/p>\n
Joe Burgess (Hull KR)<\/p>\n
Daryl Clark (St Helens)<\/p>\n
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)<\/p>\n
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)<\/p>\n
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)<\/p>\n
Matty Lees (St Helens)<\/p>\n
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)<\/p>\n
Jez Litten (Hull KR)<\/p>\n
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)<\/p>\n
Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)<\/p>\n
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)<\/p>\n
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)<\/p>\n
Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)<\/p>\n
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)<\/p>\n
Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)<\/p>\n
Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)<\/p>\n
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)<\/p>\n
Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)<\/p>\n
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)<\/p>\n
Jack Welsby (St Helens)<\/p>\n
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)<\/p>\n
Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It has been 22 years since the last Ashes Tour and the anticipation in England for Australia\u2019s long-awaited…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":228244,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[92773,64,63,689,1208,137945,137946,137947,2057,93513,120789,69447,11635,128906,4746,761,762,3583,158,677,130928,85],"class_list":["post-228243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-ashes-tour","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-england","tag-england-ashes","tag-england-ashes-squad","tag-england-ashes-team","tag-europe","tag-graham","tag-grand-final-news","tag-halves-headache","tag-james-graham","tag-kangaroos-verdict","tag-mark-st-john","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-northern-europe","tag-nrl","tag-oceania","tag-rugby-league-ashes-live","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=228243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/228244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=228243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=228243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=228243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}