Three-time NRL premiership coach Trent Robinson has predicted Shaun Wane’s England will not win a match in the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.
Wearing his other rugby league cap—or is that beret?—as sporting director for the French national team, the Sydney Roosters boss told the media he expected the English to provide a solid test for the Kangaroos, but would ultimately struggle to contain Kevin Walters’ star-studded side.
“I think Australia will win three-nil,” Robinson said in London following a training session between the Australian and French sides.
“England will come with a real emotional tilt, they will be proud and it will be a physical contest but I think Australia will outplay them on the back of that.”
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Rather than play an international warm-up match ahead of their winner-take-all 2026 World Cup qualifier against Jamaica next Saturday, the French team instead opted to train with the Kangaroos in London.
“We have been working hard heading towards the World Cup and could probably have played a test match against a second or third string nation—or organise training against Australia,” Robinson explained.
“This is a big experience for the French players to train against Australia.”
A fluent French speaker, Robinson began his coaching career in 2005 at Toulouse Olympique (where he also played) and spent two years in Perpignan coaching Catalans Dragons before linking with the Roosters in 2013.
“My involvement with France is professional but it’s also for personal reasons,” he said.
“It’s important for me, my family and my culture to come back and spend some time in France through rugby league.”
France will qualify for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup with a win over Jamaica in Albi next Saturday, the same day Australia plays England in the opening Ashes test at Wembley Stadium in London.