The upcoming Rugby League Ashes will make a long-awaited comeback to BBC screens this month after a hiatus spanning over two decades. Dating back to 1908, the prestigious best-of-three series between Great Britain and Australia had a storied history before abruptly ending in 2003. Now, the event is being resurrected with a twist – England will replace Great Britain as the contenders against the Kangaroos, following the dissolution of the Great Britain brand in 2006.
Having not faced Australia in eight years since their last encounter at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup final in Brisbane, England, under the leadership of head coach Shaun Wane, aims to carry on the legacy of their predecessors. The highly-anticipated series will unfold at three different venues in England, commencing at Wembley Stadium on October 25, followed by matches at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and potentially a series decider at AMT Headingley Stadium in Leeds on November 8.
All three matches will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with Mark Chapman leading the coverage alongside a panel of expert pundits including Sam Burgess, Kev Brown, Jon Wilkin, Jamie Peacock, Jodie Cunningham, and Robbie Hunter-Paul. Providing co-commentary will be Welsh dual-code legend Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies, alongside lead commentator Matt Newsum, supported by James Graham, John Kear, and Brian Noble. Tanya Arnold and Damian Johnson will provide pitch-side reports.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, emphasized the significance of reconnecting fans with this iconic rivalry through the broadcast of the Rugby League Ashes. Additionally, Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of RL Commercial, expressed delight in the return of the event after 22 years, underscoring the importance of showcasing all three Tests live on BBC One.
The partnership between BBC Sport and Rugby League has a rich history, spanning back to memorable moments like Clive Sullivan’s World Cup triumph in 1972 and Jonathan Davies’ iconic score against Australia in 1994. With the anticipation building for the clash between Shaun Wane’s England and the 2025 Kangaroos, fans can expect more classic sporting moments across London, Liverpool, and Leeds this autumn.