The upcoming Rugby League Ashes tournament will mark its return to the BBC after a hiatus of more than two decades. The prestigious competition, originating in 1908 with Great Britain facing Australia, was last held in 2003 before being resurrected with a twist in the lineup.
In a shift from the previous format where Great Britain battled Australia, the revived event will see England challenging the Australian team, known as the Kangaroos. The Great Britain brand, largely phased out in 2006 with a brief revival in 2019, will now be replaced by the English team.
Having not faced Australia since the 2017 Rugby League World Cup final in Brisbane, England, under the guidance of head coach Shaun Wane, is set to carry on the legacy of the Great British predecessors. The historical head-to-head record between the two nations stands close, with Australia holding a slight edge of one victory when the competition ended in 2003.
The much-anticipated series will feature matches at three different venues in England, commencing at Wembley Stadium on October 25. Subsequent games will be held at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on November 1 and a potential 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 experts including Sam Burgess, Kev Brown, Jon Wilkin, Jamie Peacock, Jodie Cunningham, and Robbie Hunter-Paul. Commentary will be provided by Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies and lead commentator Matt Newsum, supported by James Graham, John Kear, and Brian Noble. Tanya Arnold and Damian Johnson will report from the sidelines.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, expressed excitement about bringing back the Rugby League Ashes to engage fans in one of the sport’s legendary rivalries. Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of RL Commercial, emphasized the significance of the event’s return after 22 years and praised the partnership with BBC for showcasing all three Tests live.
The competition holds a special place in the history of Rugby League, with memorable moments spanning decades. As England prepares to face the 2025 Kangaroos, anticipation is high for captivating sporting moments to unfold in London, Liverpool, and Leeds this autumn.
