Key Highlights
- England head coach Shaun Wane has dropped full-back Jack Welsby for the second Test of the Ashes series against Australia.
- The decision was based on “gut feeling” from Wane, despite his high regard for Welsby’s abilities and past captaincy.
- AJ Brimson, an NRL star, will take over the position in place of Welsby.
- England faces a must-win situation as they trail Australia 1-0 after their first Test ended with a 26-6 defeat at Wembley.
Rugby League Ashes: England’s Must-Win Second Test
In the ongoing Rugby League Ashes series, England head coach Shaun Wane has made a significant change for the upcoming second Test. Wane has dropped full-back Jack Welsby from the squad, opting to bring in AJ Brimson instead. This decision comes after a disappointing first Test where England suffered a 26-6 loss against Australia.
Wane’s Decision: A Gut Feeling
Despite being a long-time fan and captain of Welsby, Wane expressed that he feels this is the right call. “I’m a big Jack Welsby fan, I think he’s a fantastic player,” said Wane, adding, “but I felt in my heart it was the right thing to do.”
Wane explained his reasoning for bringing in Brimson: “The way AJ has trained and what he brings to the team has been outstanding, so I’m excited to see it. He’s got speed, he’s got great skill, but Jack’s got great skill, it’s just a gut feeling from a head coach.” This decision is crucial as England needs to win their remaining Tests to avoid a whitewash.
England’s Struggle and Future Outlook
The first Test at Wembley was a significant setback for the English team. England suffered due to poor defensive work, particularly in the second half, where they conceded an Angus Crichton try. This performance left them trailing 1-0 in the three-match series.
For the upcoming Saturday match, which will be played at Everton Stadium from 2:30pm, Wane has made several other changes to his squad.
Harry Smith is set to come in at the halves, while Jez Litten will start at hooker. Morgan Smithies replaces Ethan Havard and John Bateman drops out due to an ankle injury, with Kallum Watkins coming into the side.
“I just didn’t get enough of what I thought I needed from Ethan, so that’s another one,” Wane added, explaining his decision to drop Havard. “It’s a gut feeling, we’ve got 24 people in the squad and I’m trying to use everybody that’s going to give us the best shot.”
England’s team manager Sam Tomkins has admitted the challenge of stopping Australia’s Reece Walsh is daunting but believes they can improve their performance. “The way AJ has trained and what he brings to the team has been outstanding, so I’m excited to see it,” Tomkins said.
Expert Analysis: Jon Wilkin on England’s Chances
Rugby League Ashes 2025 has attracted considerable attention from experts. Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin believes anything less than a 3-0 whitewash for Australia is an embarrassment for the visitors. “It is the number one sport in Australia,” said Wilkin, noting the commercial success and popularity of rugby league there compared to England.
Wilkin predicts that if Australia don’t win all three Tests comfortably, it will reflect poorly on them. “If they’re not back on the flight back to Australia 3-0 having comfortably beat us in all three games,” he added, “I think it’s embarrassing on them.” This sentiment underscores the significant stakes for both teams as the series progresses.
Conclusion
The Rugby League Ashes 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal series between England and Australia. With a must-win Test at Everton Stadium, England faces an uphill battle against their rivals. The changes in the squad, particularly Wane’s decision to drop Jack Welsby and bring in AJ Brimson, could be crucial in determining the outcome of this highly anticipated series.
