Australia Kangaroos confirmed team list and latest squad news for the Ashes Test series against England

Mark Molyneux

Australia Kangaroos confirmed team list and latest squad news for the Ashes Test series against England  image

After over two decades of being in the rugby league wilderness, the Ashes returns later this month with Australia and England resuming hostilities.

Shaun Wane’s side will host the three matches on home soil against the all-conquering Kangaroos, who are the current World Cup and Pacific Cup holders.

The hosts won’t be an easy opponent though after they have gone unbeaten since their shock loss to Samoa at the World Cup.

The highly-anticipated series will start with a showpiece event at Wembley Stadium in late October, before eventually concluding three weeks later up in Leeds.

MORE: Where are they playing the rugby league Ashes? | Every English player in the NRL - Who is pushing for Ashes selection?

"I like rewarding success," Mal Meninga said during a press conference to announce the return of the international Test series.

"We had a change of crew last year in the Pacific Championships and I was really pleased with the way all of them played. Obviously, I like to be loyal but a lot can happen in the next nine months."

Indeed, Meninga has since been appointed as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears, with former Queensland and Brisbane mentor Kevin Walters taking the reins for the three-match series. 

Australia confirmed squad for the Ashes vs England

  • Bradman Best (Knights)
  • Blayke Brailey (Sharks)
  • Josh Addo-Carr (Eels)
  • Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
  • Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
  • Xavier Coates (Storm)
  • Lindsay Collins (Roosters)
  • Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
  • Angus Crichton (Roosters)
  • Tom Dearden (Cowboys)
  • Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
  • Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
  • Harry Grant (Storm)
  • Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
  • Zac Lomax (Eels)
  • Mitchell Moses (Eels)
  • Cameron Munster (Storm)
  • Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters)
  • Jacob Preston (Bulldogs)
  • Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos)
  • Lindsay Smith (Panthers)
  • Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)
  • Ethan Strange (Raiders)
  • Reece Walsh (Broncos)
  • Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
  • Hudson Young (Raiders)

Kangaroos latest team news:

Dylan Edwards claimed the No.1 jersey last year off James Tedesco and was the early favourite to keep his spot.

However, Reece Walsh produced a stunning end to the season to put pressure on the incumbent and will join him in England. 

Teddy also responded with one of the best years of his career to rocket back into contention. Yet the Roosters skipper knocked back a recall as he will stay home to attend his brother's wedding. 

Kalyn Ponga was struck down with a long-term foot injury in the middle of the season and will not be available. 

Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax were impressive on the wings and were expected to hold down their positions. However, the duo have since withdrawn from the squad due to injury. 

Mark Nawaqanitawase has been electric for the Roosters and is pushing his claims to become a cross-code international before he returns to rugby union in 2027. 

The centres is an area of concern for Kevin Walters as a number of big-name stars have pulled out of contention.

Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic are not available, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow suffered an MCL injury in the last round of the NRL season and has been ruled out. 

Kotoni Staggs has pledged his allegiance to the Aussies in a major boost and the premiership winner will take his place in the backline.

He could be joined in the centres by Broncos teammate Gehamat Shibasaki, who has gone from a train-and-trial contract at the start of the year to playing Origin, winning the premiership and now being selected for the national side. 

Ethan Strange has been spoken about at length after a stellar campaign for Canberra and could be set for a surprise turn in the centres after being included in the squad. 

Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses could be replaced by Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary in the halves, although Walters has opted to include all four of the playmakers in his squad. 

Dearden looks the most likely man to take the utility role on the bench, with Matt Burton overlooked after being used in the No.14 jersey last year. 

Payne Haas missed the Pacific Championships last year due to injury and has since delivered a major blow to the Aussies by deciding to switch his allegiance to Samoa. 

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, who missed almost the entire year in 2024 after tearing his ACL, has declared he will play for the Kangaroos in a major boost to the pack. 

Therefore, Tino and Patrick Carrigan are likely to be viewed as the starting front rowers, with the main support coming from Lindsay Collins

Liam Martin was initially picked but was then ruled out of the Pacific Championships with various injury complaints last year. The backrower will miss this year's international slate as he stays home to be with his pregnant partner. 

Angus Crichton is set to get a start on one edge, while Reuben CotterHudson Young and Jacob Preston could be left battling it out for the other spot. 

Isaah Yeo is the captain and obvious choice at lock with Carrigan set to start at prop.

Cameron Murray has been ruled out of contention despite making it back to the field in South Sydney's last game of the season. 

The vice-captain, Harry Grant, will likely take the No.9 jersey ahead of Blayke Brailey. The Sharks hooker has earned a spot in the squad though after another impressive season in the Shire.  

Keaon Koloamatangi has landed a place in the squad and could be set for a role off the bench for the Roos alongside Lindsay Smith

Mitch Barnett is a big loss in the pack after he went down with an ACL injury following the Origin opener.

UPDATE:

Just one day after Walters named his side for the tour, the Aussies have been hit with two injury blows. Coates and Lomax have both been forced to withdraw from the side. 

Bradman Best has been brought in and could make his international debut in the centres, while Josh Addo-Carr has received a stunning recall. 

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.