Match report – England 6 – 26 Australia

Australia lead 1-0 Ashes series after dominance at Wembley; The Kangaroos scored four tries through Rhys Walsh and Angus Crichton; Nathan Cleary added four conversions and a penalty; The second test takes place at Everton’s Hill-Dickinson Stadium on Saturday 1 November

Australia take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes after a strong performance at Wembley

England were blown away by Australia in a 26-6 defeat in the first Ashes Test at Wembley Stadium.

After a torrid first 40 minutes, it was Australia who raced into an 8-0 half-time lead, Rhys Walsh’s converted try plus Nathan Cleary’s 40th-minute penalty putting the Kangaroos ahead.

Australia were then on the move, an Angus Crichton double, Walsh’s second and Cleary’s boot perfection put them 26-0 up.

Derry Clarke managed to cross for a consolation for England, but it was too little too late as they fell to a comprehensive 26-6 defeat.

Reece Walsh opened the scoring for Australia with a flying finish

Australia lead 1-0 in this three-match series, with contests at Everton’s Hill-Dickinson Stadium and Headingley in Leeds to come.

England must beat Everton on Saturday 1 November to keep this run alive, putting all the pressure on Sean Wayne’s side.

Australia show class as England walk away with questions

The stage was set in front of 60,812 at Wembley Stadium for the first Ashes Test since 2003 and it delivered what fans had been waiting 22 years for.

In the opening encounters, handling errors rusted both teams and opportunity played its part.

It was a tough battle with Herbie Farnworth shining for England

That meant it took 22 minutes until Australia opened the scoring after the video referee ruled there was no obstruction for Mikey Lewis in the build-up and Cottony Stags broke through to find Walsh on his inside who hit a swan dive on his way over. Cleary converted for a 6-0 lead.

Australia then thought they had a replay in the 37th minute through Angus Crichton, but a video review by the referee showed that Dom Young had been thrown into the air in a pile-up by Josh Addo-Kar.

Reece Walsh opened the scoring for Australia with a flying finish

However, they finished the first 40 by adding two more points, with Jazz Litten questioned for a pull against Walsh, Cleary slotting home a penalty for an 8-0 lead at the break.

Australia took off in the second half and after an ominous break from Walsh it wasn’t long before they finished, Crichton slotting past Alex Walmsley and then Jack Welsby to dive in, Cleary slotting home to put his side 14-0 up.

As England bombed their chances despite periods of pressure, they were left searching for points they could not add.

Angus Crichton converted twice in the second half as Australia went on top

Crichton then made it a double in the 65th minute when he finished off Cameron Munster’s inside pass, Cleary’s conversion putting Australia 20-0 up comprehensively.

Complete and utter dominance then ended in the 71st minute when Gehamat Shibasaki broke down the left and found Walsh on his inside for his second. With Cleary’s extras, the Kangaroos were 26-0 up and England were left with plenty of questions to answer.

Daryl Clarke managed to get points on the board for England

By the time Clark was able to cross in consolation, it was too little too late.

England have a must-win game in sight and it’s one where they will have to show a lot more than they did at Wembley.

Rugby League Ashes 2025

First test: England 6-26 Australia

Second test: Saturday 1 November, Everton Stadium, Liverpool

Third test: Saturday 8th November, Headingley Stadium, Leeds