Wane

The three-quarter line offers so many options, despite the loss of Matty Ashton to a season-ending injury.

Out wide, Hull’s speedy Lewis Martin – a former Hull City youth footballer – was Super League’s top scorer, but is this too early for him?

Dom Young, who left Sydney Roosters for Newcastle mid-season, has been a rampaging force out wide for England, athletic and powerful.

Joe Burgess has three England caps but has not been in the reckoning of late, despite scoring regularly for Salford and now Hull KR. His team-mate Tom Davies is another who does great work out of back-field as well as out wide – but he only has one cap.

Liam Marshall scored on his England debut against Samoa last November, after several prolific seasons with Wigan, and will surely be considered.

Herbie Farnworth, arguably one of the best players in the world, has sewn up one of the centre spots, so who goes in alongside?

Jake Wardle has had another impressive season at Wigan, while Harry Newman – who Wane has shown faith in during recent series – was again a regular for Leeds.

Roosters’ Billy Smith and Gold Coast utility AJ Brimson, two Australia-born players, might come into consideration but will have to impose their desire and passion on Wane if they are to get the nod.

So who should make Wane’s Ashes squad? Share your thoughts below.

While Wane grapples with his own issues, notably a lack of time on the field with his players, there are still plenty of things for their autumn opponents to sort out before they board the flights for the ‘Old Dart’.

Firstly, a coach needs to be appointed, after long-standing boss Mal Meninga left his role to take up the position at new NRL franchise Perth Bears, who do not enter the competition until 2027 but for whom an entire roster needs to be raised.

Then there are the logistics, which still need fixing if former captain Brad Fittler’s interview with Australian radio station 2GB is to be believed, citing a need to sort accommodation, training facilities, kit and other tour essentials.

Fittler ruled himself out of the job, citing his media commitments, and the most recent links have suggested Cameron Smith, another former Kangaroos, could take it on.

Regardless of who picks up the baton, Wane expects high-quality opposition come October.

“I hope they are in some disarray, that would perfect! Any help I can get the better,” Wane joked.

“But, they’ve got a great team, some great players to pick from, they’ll be competitive and whoever the coach is so when they come over here in October they’ll be ready to play.

“If we can have a full stadium to make it as harsh as we can at Wembley, that’ll do for me.”

The recent State of Origin representative series – which will come to a head on 9 July in Brisbane – is locked at one game each between New South Wales and Queensland, and has helped the England coaches get a flavour of what to expect.

“I’m Whatsapping my staff, Lee Briers and Andy Last, during the game with things I want them to clip up – I look at it a different way,” Wane added.

“I’ve watched the Origin five or six times now and I can’t wait for the next one.”

Securing the Ashes series this autumn gives England the chance to test their mettle against the world champions, after an eight-year wait.

That last meeting was in the 2017 World Cup final, which Australia won. Since then, the Kangaroos have won the world crown again, doing so in England in 2022.

“The chance to go up against the best in the world is phenomenal,” Wane added, describing the chance to lead the team out as his “coaching highlight”.

“The RFL and RL Commercial have done a great job to get this on because it’s not been straightforward.

“To get three Ashes Test matches at fantastic grounds is so exciting for me. I’m going to make sure I work hard and make sure the players are prepared.”

Wane believes the final game at rugby league hotbed Headingley will be a “perfect finish” given the facilities on offer and the loyalty shown at previous events, but is equally excited by the venues that highlight the ambition shown in marketing this tour.

“As for Wembley – it’s iconic for us,” he added. “I’ve played there, been there as a coach, watched games, watched Test matches there.

“I was brought up with Great Britain versus Australia and England versus Australia matches.

“Everton is a brand new ground. I’ve seen the views of it, it looks fantastic and I’m excited for that. Now it’s secured as a venue I’ll be taking an even closer look.”