Titans utility AJ Brimson has declared that he grew up supporting England and wanted to represent his mother’s English heritage after being selected to play against Australia in the Ashes series.
Brimson is one of six NRL players named in the 24-man England squad for the three Test series starting on October 25 at Wembley Stadium.
The former Queensland Origin representative successfully applied to change his international eligibility from Australia to England earlier this year to represent his mother’s English heritage.
Brimson had previously played for Australia in the 2019 World Cup 9s but an International Rugby League hearing ruled that as the tournament was a one-off he could change his allegiance to England.
AJ Brimson played four Origins for Queensland between 2020 and 2023.
©NRL Photos
The 27-year-old said he had grown up supporting England and wanted to represent his mother’s English heritage.
Brimson’s two brothers were born in Chertsey and his mother is from London, where her family still live.
“My mum is obviously very happy. My mum’s family are very happy,” Brimson told reporters at a media conference in Manchester after the squad was named.
“My whole mum’s side of the family is in England. We used to go there as kids for family holidays … to Plymouth. (Mum) is from south London and she has got some family there which is good.”
“My dad’s now passed away, but he was probably the reason I started in rugby. Then, mum has kind of stepped in, he passed away when I was about 12.
“So she’s kind of stepped in as the full-time footy parent and she was super stoked when I told her. Obviously, my brothers were stoked as well.
“Growing up in a household watching, you know, union games, football games, rugby league games, she would always be going for England and my dad would be going for Australia.
“I have always loved England and the England jersey, even in football as well. It is just something that I’ve always wanted to do.
“It is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, play for England, so I will be putting my hand up to try to play for them this year and going forward.”
Knights winger Dom Young, Wests Tigers-bound secondrower Kai Pearce-Paul, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, Cowboys backrower John Bateman and Raiders forward Morgan Smithies are the other NRL players.
Dolphins recruit Morgan Knowles is also in the squad and is expected to play lock in place of Victor Radley, who withdrew from the series in the wake of a 10-match ban imposed by Sydney Roosters.
The England team will be captained by former Raiders halfback George Williams, who has been linked with a return to the NRL in 2027.
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Williams increases the England lead
Former Roosters and Rabbitohs winger Joe Burgess has been recalled to the England squad after a 10-year absence following his two tries for Hull KR in Saturday’s Super League grand final.
Burgess will be accompanied by Hull KR team-mates Jez Litten and Rob Burrow Award winner Mikey Lewis.
Notable omissions include former Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson and 2025 Man of Steel Jake O’Connor, while Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith was not selected after putting his hand up to represent his English heritage.
“I’m really excited by the 24 players we have selected ahead of this upcoming Ashes series,” England coach Shuan Wane said.
“There were some tough decisions to be made given the quality we have across both Super League and the NRL and that’s never easy, but I am confident that the 24 selected will give us the best chance of winning this series.”
Owen Trout’s form for Leigh Leopards in 2025 was rewarded and he could make his England debut, while Kallum Watkins and Alex Walmsley both return to the England squad after spells away from the international game.
Watkins last featured in England’s World Cup campaign three years ago while Walmsley’s most recent international outing came in a 30-10 victory over France in October 2021.
St Helens boast the highest representation with five players while Super League runners-up Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos join Hull KR in having three players each.
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Kangaroos squad named for Ashes
Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone are included from Wakefield Trinity with Williams the sole representative from Warrington Wolves.
“The return of The Ashes has been a long time coming and we now have the chance to face off against the Kangaroos and look to make history by being the first English side to win The Ashes in over 50 years,” Wane said.
“We already have two sold out venues in Everton and Headingley and I’m sure the atmosphere at Wembley in less than two weeks time will be electric.”
England squad (alphabetical)
John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
Joe Burgess (Hull KR)
Daryl Clark (St Helens)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
Jez Litten (Hull KR)
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)
Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)