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England vs. Australia Kangaroos: Confirmed lineups for the opening Ashes Test

Mark Molyneux

England vs. Australia Kangaroos: Confirmed lineups for the opening Ashes Test image

The Australian side have arrived in England as they prepare to meet the old enemy in the first Ashes Test series in 22 years.

New Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has assembled a star-studded outfit full of possibilities for the three-match series that kicks off in London this weekend. 

Meanwhile, Shaun Wane has selected an English side containing several NRL stars to support their local favourites from the Super League as they go in search of a history-making victory. 

AllSportsPeople provides all the latest team news and selection decisions for England and Australia ahead of the opening Test match.

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England vs. Australia

(Saturday, October 25 at Wembley Stadium, 2:30pm BST / Sunday, October 26, 12:30am AEDT)

England predicted team:

1. Jack Welsby
2. Dom Young
3. Jake Wardle
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Tom Johnstone
6. Mikey Lewis
7. George Williams
8. Mike McMeeken
9. Jez Litten
10. Alex Walmsley
11. John Bateman
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Morgan Knowles

14. AJ Brimson
15. Ethan Havard
16. Owen Trout
17. Matty Lees

18. Daryl Clark
19. Mikołaj Olędzk

England team news:

Jack Welsby has had a mortgage on the No.1 jersey for the national side ever since Sam Tomkins retired and the St Helens star looks to be the front runner again. 

Yet AJ Brimson will put pressure on him following his switch of allegiance, with the former Queensland star capable of playing at fullback, in the centres, at five-eighth or off the bench. 

Dom Young endured a turbulent season Down Under as he completed a mid-season switch back to Newcastle following a failed move to the Sydney Roosters. 

Despite his inconsistent showings, he is likely to take his place on the right wing with Wakefield flyer Tom Johnstone staving off a surprise push from Joe Burgess.

Herbie Farnworth is assured of his spot in the centres after a stunning campaign in the NRL. He finished with 12 tries and nine assists in 19 appearances before a hamstring injury cut short his season. 

The recently re-signed Dolphins star could be joined in the backline by Jake Wardle, who starred for Wigan all year.

George Williams is the captain of the side and will start at halfback, with Mikey Lewis set to start alongside him. 

The halves has been the main bone of contention in Wane's selections with the coach overlooking Man of Steel Jake Connor, despite his stellar campaign for Leeds. 

Meanwhile, Wigan talisman Harry Smith will also have to bide his time as he's missed out on the first matchday squad.

Mike McMeeken has enjoyed an impressive campaign for Wakefield and will get the nod at prop.

Saints stalwart Alex Walmsley and Ethan Havard will battle it out for the other starting role. 

Jez Litten has been the standout hooker in the Super League this season and is set to be handed the No.9 jersey ahead of Daryl Clark. 

Kai Pearce-Paul was a consistent performer for the Knights during a dire season that ended with the club picking up the wooden spoon.

The backrower will be joined by veteran John Bateman, with fellow NRL edge forward Matty Nicholson and Wigan star Junior Nsemba surprisingly overlooked by the coach. 

Morgan Knowles will start at lock after another strong season for St Helens, with his selection almost a guarantee after Victor Radley withdrew from the series after being embroiled in controversy back home. 

Morgan Smithies was utilised off the pine throughout Canberra's shock rise to the top, but has surprisingly been left out of the national side altogether for the first Test.

Instead, the other spots on the pine will be battled out between Matty Lees, Owen Trout, and Mikolaj Oledzk.

Australia confirmed team:

1. Reece Walsh
2. Mark Nawaqanitawase
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Cameron Munster
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
11. Angus Crichton
12. Hudson Young
13. Isaah Yeo

14. Tom Dearden
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Keaon Koloamatangi

18. Bradman Best
19. Lindsay Smith
20. Mitchell Moses

Kangaroos team news:

Reece Walsh enjoyed a stunning run of form as he helped Brisbane to end a 19-year premiership drought and earn an Aussie call-up in the process. 

The fullback registered seven tries, provided 12 assists and busted through 74 tackles during an electric seven-game run to close out the season.

He is set to push incumbent Dylan Edwards out of the side after the Penrith No.1 uncharacteristically struggled during the business end of the year. 

Walsh is joined in the backline by his two Brisbane teammates, Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki. 

Bradman Best was a late addition to the squad following Zac Lomax's withdrawal and he will provide cover in the centres.

Xavier Coates was also originally selected to play for the Aussies. However, the Melbourne flyer dropped out due to injury and was replaced by Josh Addo-Carr, who is set to return from the international wilderness. 

The human highlight reel that is Mark Nawaqanitawase will line up on the opposite flank from the Foxx after he topped the NRL's try-scoring charts for the Roosters. 

Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses led the Kangaroos to victory in the Pacific Cup last year, although they are set to be replaced in the halves by Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary. 

Payne Haas' defection to Samoa has left a major hole in the front row, yet Walters should have more than enough talent at his disposal to cover for the loss. 

Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui both ply their trade at lock for their clubs, but are set to switch to being props in the Ashes. 

Harry Grant is the side's vice captain and will take the No.9 jersey, holding off a late challenge from Cronulla dummy-half Blayke Brailey

Angus Crichton earns his place in the backrow, with Hudson Young edging out Jacob Preston for the spot on the other edge. Isaah Yeo is the Aussie captain and will play at lock as usual. 

Dearden has won the utility role ahead of surging Canberra prospect Ethan Strange

Queensland duo Lindsay Collins and Reuben Cotter will provide a lift of energy off the bench, while South Sydney powerhouse Keaon Koloamatangi will join them on the pine ahead of Lindsay Smith

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