Australia will play Toronto Wolfpack ahead of Ashes tour

Australia coach Mal Meninga says the Kangaroos will play a match against Toronto Wolfpack, following their signing of Sonny Bill Williams.

The Kangaroos will play three tests against England – at the University of Bolton Stadium, Elland Road and Tottenham Hotspure Stadium – and are expected to play a number of tour games, with the likes of France, Jamaica and a number of Super League clubs being lined up.

In the signing announcement of Williams, it was revealed that an agreement is in place for them to face the Wolfpack in a historic match.

Meninga said: “Sonny Bill Williams will provide an immediate impact for rugby league in the northern hemisphere and for the development of rugby in North America.

“When the Kangaroos tour England in 2020, we will look forward to playing a warm-up game against the Wolfpack as it would create a lot of excitement for the sport.”

The last time Australia faced club sides on tour was in 1994, when they took on Cumbria, Leeds, Wigan, Castleford, Halifax, Sheffield, St Helens, Warrington and Bradford around their test matches against Great Britain, Wales and France.

They last toured back in 2003, beating a French XIII, England A and Wales before completing a series whitewash over Great Britain.