It’s back!

For the first time since 2003 the Kangaroos are in England for an Ashes series and we kick it off at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium for the first Test.

The scene of some of the most famous Ashes battles in history, Wembley will be heaving as Kevin Walters’ Aussies look to make a first-up statement against an England side boasting four NRL players in John Bateman, Herbie Farnworth, Dom Young and Kai Pearce-Paul.

The Kangaroos have held the Ashes since 1973 and will go in as heavy favourites to extend that proud record across the next three Saturdays but Shaun Wane and his England side are primed to make a statement.

So many intriguing match-ups across the park, so much to play for, and you can follow all the action from the first Ashes Test on NRL.com’s live blog.

The Ashes: England v Kangaroos

34 min: George Williams nudges a grubber into the in goal and Nathan Cleary is forced to knock it dead. The Kangaroos go with a short dropout and England knock the ball on in the contest.

32 min: Mark Nawaqanitawase pushes a pass coming out of his own end and the ball goes to ground to hand England great field position.

29 min: An adventurous flick pass from Gehamat Shibasaki hits Angus Crichton in the face and then the hands as the knock on is called.

26 min: Hudson Young comes up with an error to invite England onto the attack but Jake Wardle’s dropped ball lets the Kangaroos off the hook.

22 min: The Kangaroos create space on the right as Reece Walsh puts Mark Nawaqanitawase away and the winger sends a pass back inside to Kotoni Staggs who finds Walsh supporting on the inside and the Broncos gun dives over for a try on Test debut. Nathan Cleary converts. Kangaroos 6-0.

17 min: Reuben Cotter and Angus Crichton produce some strong defence on Matty Lees who spills the ball.

16 min: Cameron Munster finds Reece Walsh who tries to float a trademark ‘harbour bridge’ pass to Josh Addo-Carr but the ball goes behind the winger and into touch for an England scrum feed.

15 min: Nathan Cleary goes to the air for Mark Nawaqanitawase to compete but Tom Johnstone comes up with a safe catch.

13 min: Reece Walsh is ruled to have played the ball incorrectly and turns the ball over. The Kangaroos fire in a captain’s challenge which proves successful after the bunker rules John Bateman pushed Walsh down as he tried to play the ball.

10 min: A poor pass by Jack Welsby sails over Dom Young’s head and into touch.

9 min: Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo leaves the field for a HIA. He fails the assessment and is out for the rest of the game.

8 min: Enterprising attack from England on the right edge as Herbie Farnworth regathers a George Williams grubber and has his pass knocked down by Reece Walsh as he tries to find his winger.

6 min: England return the favour with an error through prop Ethan Havard.

5 min: The first mistake of the game as Hudson Young puts the ball down under pressure from Jake Wardle.

2 min: Mark Nawaqanitawase gets his first touch on Test debut as he fields a Mikey Lewis kick and brings the ball back strongly.

Late Mail

Kangaroos: Fullback Reece Walsh, winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, centre Gehamat Shibasaki and edge forward Keaon Koloamatangi will make their Kangaroo debuts at Wembley. Shibasaki and fellow Broncos premiership winner Kotoni Staggs form a new centre pairing for Australia. Halves Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary combine for the first time steering the green and gold to glory in the 2022 World Cup final while winger Josh Addo-Carr returns for his first Test since that decider against Samoa at Old Trafford. Bradman Best is 18th man.

England: Skipper George Williams and Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis team up in the halves while three-time premiership winner Jack Welsby lines up at fullback in his 13th Test for England. North Queensland’s John Bateman is the most-capped member of the squad with 26 England caps in addition to four for Great Britain. Owen Trout from Leigh Leopards makes his Test debut off the bench alongside Hull KR’s Jez Litten, St Helens’ Alex Walmsley and Mike McMeeken from Wakefield Trinity. Gold Coast’s AJ Brimson is 18th man.

Numbers Game

Ashes Tests 1908-2003 – Played 117, Australia 59 wins, Great Britain 54 wins, draws 4.

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