<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/what-is-the-rugby-league-ashes">The Rugby League Ashes</a> returns this weekend after a 22-year hiatus, with Australia set to take on England at Wembley Stadium, in the first of three test matches.</p> <p>Not only does this clash mark the return of the Ashes, it will also be the first time these two age-old rivals have met since the 2017 World Cup Final where Australia defeated England 6-0.</p> <p>A lot can, and has, changed in the last eight years. Both squads are unsurprisingly unrecognisable to those that ran out onto Suncorp Stadium to take part in the lowest scoring World Cup Final in history nearly a decade ago.</p> <p>New spinal combinations look set to be wheeled out across both teams and while England does possess a smattering of Aussie-based talent, we’re about to find out how the Super League’s finest stacks up against the might of the NRL.</p> <p>This is not to be missed. Looking for all the latest squad news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this Ashes clash? Check out our England vs Australia predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>England vs Kangaroos Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>If England want to win this match, they must complete the unenviable task of stopping Reece Walsh.</p> <p>From Round 22 onwards of the NRL season just gone, no side could manage this task, with Walsh unleashing one of the greatest individual run of games by a player ever.</p> <p>This run ended with the Broncos winning their first premiership in 19 years and Walsh being awarded the Clive Churchill Medal.</p> <p>Even if the English do stop Walsh, names like Cleary, Munster, Grant, Edwards and Moses are waiting to run riot in his stead.</p> <p>It’s actually hard to remember the last time a national side was this stacked in the killer positions.</p> <p>This is probably why the Kangaroos are the overwhelming favourites in the H2H betting for both this match and the overall series.</p> <p>Still, this is one of the deepest England sides in recent memory and if anyone is expecting them to go quietly with national pride on the line, they will be bitterly disappointed.</p> <p>The conditions will also heavily favour the English, with both the weather and the quirks of the converted soccer pitches they will run out on, playing into their hands.</p> <p>Ever tried kicking for touch in the wind and rain on a soccer field with tens thousands of poms screaming at you? Because they have.</p> <p>As this Ashes series progresses, combinations, tactics and belief with form, which should allow England to really trouble the Kangaroos, but to kick off proceedings, we simply cannot go against odds this lopsided.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Australia.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Tryscorer Prediction</h3> <p>Despite announcing that he will&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/nawaqanitawase-set-to-return-to-rugby-union">leave the NRL and rejoin Rugby Union</a> at the end of next year, Mark Nawaqanitawase was still included in the Kangaroos Ashes’ squad by new head coach Kevin Walters.</p> <p>You can’t blame the former Broncos mentor either, as the man they call Marky Mark finished the season as the NRL’s leading try scorer.</p> <p>He became known for scoring truly miraculous four-pointers, as well as opening the scoring for the Roosters on numerous occasions throughout the year.</p> <p>That’s a feat we are backing him to repeat here, should he earn selection on the wing for this opening game of the 2025 Rugby League Ashes.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Mark Nawaqanitawase.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>England vs Kangaroos Anytime Tryscorer Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Reece Walsh</h3> <p>Should Walsh get the nod over Edwards for the Kangaroos fullback jersey, as expected, he will be a prime anytime tryscorer candidate.</p> <p>On the Broncos run to Rugby League retribution, Reece simply couldn’t stop scoring, even crossing for one of the all-time great Grand Final tries, with a stunning solo effort.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Joe Burgess</h3> <p>After a 10-year absence, Hull KR winger Joe Burgess has been recalled to the England squad.</p> <p>His 42 tries in 48 appearances for Hull, including two in the recent Grand Final triumph over Wigan, made him impossible to ignore for England coach Shaun Wane.</p> <p>That impressive strike rate has also made him impossible to ignore for us in the anytime tryscorer market.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jacob Preston</h3> <p>For those hunting value, Kangaroos debutant Jacob Preston is hard to go past. He is somewhat overlooked in his market being a forward, but he did cross for a staggering 12 tries in 24 appearances for Canterbury this year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>AJ Brimson</h3> <p>One of the most talked about players heading into this Ashes series, is Titans fullback AJ Brimson.</p> <p>Despite having played and starred for Queensland at Origin level, Brimson decided to switch his representation to England and turn out for the Poms.</p> <p>He qualifies through his mother’s heritage and on his day is a crafty and creative No.1 and known tryscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>England vs Australia Squads</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>England Squad</h3> <p>John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)</p> <p>Joe Burgess (Hull KR)</p> <p>Daryl Clark (St Helens)</p> <p>Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)</p> <p>Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)</p> <p>Morgan Knowles (St Helens)</p> <p>Matty Lees (St Helens)</p> <p>Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)</p> <p>Jez Litten (Hull KR)</p> <p>Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)</p> <p>Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)</p> <p>Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)</p> <p>Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)</p> <p>Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)</p> <p>Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)</p> <p>Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)</p> <p>Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)</p> <p>Alex Walmsley (St Helens)</p> <p>Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)</p> <p>Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)</p> <p>Jack Welsby (St Helens)</p> <p>George Williams (Warrington Wolves)</p> <p>Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Australian Squad</h3> <p>Josh Addo-Carr (Parramatta Eels)</p> <p>Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)</p> <p>Blayke Brailey (Cronulla Sharks)</p> <p>Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)</p> <p>Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)</p> <p>Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)</p> <p>Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)</p> <p>Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)</p> <p>Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>Jacob Preston (Canterbury Bulldogs)</p> <p>Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>Lindsay Smith (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)</p> <p>Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>England vs Australia Game 1 Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, October 25, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 11:30pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Wembley Stadium, London, England.&nbsp;</p>