How England could have lined up in Ashes series

With Australia recently announcing their ‘merit’ team that would have played England in this year’s Ashes series, we take a look at how Shaun Wane’s 17-man side could have lined up.

England were scheduled to play the Kangaroos in a three-match test series this autumn but it was cancelled after the NRL and Super League seasons had to be extended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary was a potential debut for Australia as he was selected in Australia’s ‘merit‘ team, while Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tino Fa’asuamelaui, Christian Welch and Angus Crichton were also potential debutants.

Former Wigan coach Wane announced his latest England squad in November, adding Warrington’s Toby King and Leeds’ Ash Handley.

Steve Prescott Man of Steel winner Paul McShane had been selected in the train-on squad, while Morgan Knowles recently switched his international allegiances from Wales to England ahead of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

For this potential team, we have only selected players that were picked in the latest squad.

Potential England squad: S.Tomkins, Makinson, King, Hardaker, Handley, Lomax, Williams, T.Burgess, Roby, Thompson, Whitehead, Bateman, Knowles. Subs: McShane, Walmsley, Sutton, Philbin.

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