Few rivalries in sport carry as much weight, tradition, and pride as the Rugby League Ashes. For over a century, the contest between Australia and Great Britain, has stood as the ultimate measure of supremacy in the international game. Born out of the early 20th century’s push to globalise rugby league, the Ashes have offered generations of players a chance to test their skill, in a battle of endurance, discipline, and respect.

The Rugby League Ashes began in 1908, when Australia toured Great Britain seeking to establish itself on the world stage. The concept mirrored cricket’s own “Ashes” series, symbolising a clash of equals and the right to claim sporting dominance across the seas. These early tours were epic undertakings, months-long journeys that included Tests as well as matches against local clubs, helping the fledgling sport to grow internationally. The 1911–12 “Australasian” team, which included several New Zealanders, became the first southern hemisphere side to win the Ashes on British soil. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the contests grew in stature, with Great Britain winning memorable series in 1924 and 1932, and the rivalry becoming a centrepiece of rugby league’s identity.

After the Second World War, the balance of power began to shift decisively southward. Australia, driven by professionalisation and domestic competition strength, established an era of dominance that would stretch well into the modern age. Yet the Britains continued to produce famous moments, none more so than their shock victory in the third Test of the 1988 series, when they stunned Australia 26–12 in Sydney. That triumph remains one of the most celebrated overseas victories in the sport’s history. But from the 1970s onward, the Kangaroos began an extraordinary run, claiming thirteen consecutive Ashes series and redefining the standard of international play.

The last traditional Ashes series took place in 2003, when the Kangaroos swept Great Britain 3–0 during the final full Kangaroo Tour of the modern era. Though each match was tightly contested, Australia’s composure and precision ensured their continued dominance. After that tour, the Ashes entered a two-decade hiatus as international scheduling shifted and financial priorities changed. For many, the disappearance of the Ashes left a void, it had long been more than a contest, it was a cultural exchange, a proving ground, and a reminder of rugby league’s shared heritage across hemispheres.

Now, after 22 years, the Rugby League Ashes are set to return in 2025. The Rugby Football League and the Australian Rugby League Commission have confirmed a three-Test series between England and Australia to be played in October and November. The opening Test will take place at Wembley Stadium in London, followed by fixtures at Liverpool’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium and a finale at Headingley in Leeds. This revival marks the first time the series will be played under the “England” banner rather than “Great Britain,” reflecting the modern structure of international rugby league.

The stakes could not be higher. For Australia, the challenge is to extend their era of dominance and reaffirm their reputation as the sport’s global powerhouse. For England, the mission is to restore competitiveness and national pride, to show that the northern hemisphere can still go toe-to-toe with the world champions. Beyond the scoreboard, the 2025 series carries symbolic weight, it represents the revival of a rivalry that shaped rugby league itself, a bridge between past and present generations of players and fans.

When the first whistle sounds at Wembley in October 2025, it won’t simply be the start of another series. It will be a revival of a century-old rivalry reborn, a reminder that rugby league’s heart beats strongest when England and Australia meet in pursuit of the Ashes.