Leeds: When England left the field at Headingley, a sense of disappointment was palpable among the fans and players alike. This sentiment was not only due to the 30-8 defeat to Australia, cementing a 3-0 series loss, but also because this might have been the last opportunity for England to play in front of a home crowd until 2027.
According to BBC, England has no home Test matches scheduled for 2026, and with the World Cup set to take place in Australia and Papua New Guinea next year, England’s next home series against New Zealand is 23 months away. The expansion of the Super League to a 14-team competition next term makes a mid-season Test fixture unlikely, further clouding the future of home games.
The Ashes series, the first since 2003, proved to be a significant draw, with a total of 132,418 fans attending the three games. The series saw over 60,000 fans at Wembley and more than 50,000 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, indicating a strong demand for international rugby league matches. Headingley, with a capacity of 19,500, could have been filled multiple times over, highlighting the series’ popularity.
Looking ahead, a tour of Australia is planned for 2028, with the expectation that an England team, rather than Great Britain, will travel. However, the details remain unconfirmed. Australia has expressed a strong interest in playing England again, motivated not only by their recent series win but also by the desire to elevate the profile of international rugby league.
Peter Vlandys, chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, emphasized the importance of maintaining the international game’s prestige and tapping into the evident audience demand. Vlandys noted the significant turnout at Wembley as evidence of this interest, advocating for the Ashes to become a regular series.
Australia’s coach Kevin Walters and captain Isaah Yeo have also voiced their desire for another Ashes series soon, citing the competitive nature of the matches and the benefits for both national teams. Walters praised the high level of play and the respect between the teams, while Yeo pointed to the long gap since the last series and the importance of maintaining this historic fixture.
Australia has embraced the spirit of the tour, engaging with fans and media through various activities, including a Halloween night out in Liverpool and training sessions in Leeds. These efforts have helped them win not only on the field but also in the public relations arena.
For England, despite the losses, the series offered valuable experience ahead of the World Cup. England coach Shaun Wane acknowledged the challenges posed by the popularity and funding of rugby league in Australia, as well as structural issues within the sport in England. He expressed concerns about the demanding schedule faced by English players and the need for strategic planning ahead of the World Cup.
Wane remains confident in his role as England’s coach, despite criticism and calls for change. He is determined to lead England into the World Cup, though the future of international rugby league and the Ashes series remains uncertain. The next steps for England will involve crucial discussions about the direction of the team and the preparation required to compete at the highest level.