Dom Young will miss the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley after suffering a broken foot in the final minutes of the second Test.
The Kangaroos claimed a 14-4 victory in the match, retaining the Ashes for the first time in 22 years in what was a tight contest.
Young’s injury is a huge setback for England, who will desperately need his try-scoring prowess, speed, and strike power out wide to put points on the board against a staunch Australian defence.
England coach Shaun Wane has named experienced speedster Joe Burgess to replace Young on the wing for the final Ashes Test and will be hopeful Young’s absence doesn’t impact their chances.
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Harry Newman will also come into the English side at centre in place of Jack Wardle, while John Bateman remains sidelined with an ankle injury in what has been an unlucky series for England, with some players not just underperforming but multiple also struck down or impacted with injuries.
Wane said the team’s focus is now on ending the series with a victory and praised Burgess and Newman’s recent performances.
The England coach is well and truly under pressure to save face after a relatively disjointed and largely uninspired Kangaroos squad have easily accounted for England in the first two matches.
Elsewhere, Young’s absence will also be felt at the Newcastle Knights, where his speed and try-scoring ability have quickly made him a key player.
The unfortunate injury will impact his pre-season preparations with the Knights, though he is expected to return to full fitness in time for the NRL season, ready to continue his rise in the Knights’ backline.
Having moved to Newcastle last year from the Sydney Roosters, Young made an immediate impact and finished the 2025 season as one of the Knights’ top try-scorers, finishing the season on 10 four-pointers—just one behind Fletcher Sharep.
It is an unfortunate injury for the young Englishman, but with a roster overhaul that has seen the Knights recruit the likes of Sandon Smith and Dylan Brown, things are still looking bright for the Novocastrians heading into the 2026 season.