The Rugby League Ashes returned in 2025 after a 22-year gap, and England versus Australia picked up right where they left off since their last competitive match at the 2017 World Cup Final. Australia proved clinical in all three Tests, winning 26-6 at Wembley, 14-4 in Liverpool, and 30-8 in Leeds on 8 November 2025 to complete a 3-0 series whitewash. Fullback Reece Walsh finished the third Test with two tries in the final 10 minutes, capping a dominant display that put the result beyond doubt.

4 related posts

Series Result: Australia 3-0 whitewash · Final Test Score: Australia 30-8 England · Third Test Date: 8 Nov 2025 · Format: Best-of-three tests · Competing Teams: Australia Kangaroos vs England

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact ticket pricing for all three Tests
  • Attendance figures for each venue
  • Detailed viewership numbers per market
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • No confirmed future series announcement (verified by Radio Times)
  • England rebuilding after first Ashes Tests since 2003 (verified by Radio Times)
  • Kangaroos extend consecutive series wins to 13 since 1970 (verified by Radio Times)

The table below consolidates the verified match data for the 2025 Rugby League Ashes series across all three Test venues.

Attribute Detail
Series Winner Australia (3-0)
First Test Score Australia 26, England 6
Second Test Score Australia 14, England 4
Third Test Score Australia 30, England 8
Third Test Date 8 November 2025
Venue Headingley Stadium, Leeds
Format Best-of-three Test matches
Series Hiatus Before 2025 22 years (last held 2003)
Ashes Inception 1908

Is England v Australia rugby league on TV?

UK viewers had straightforward access to the 2025 Rugby League Ashes. All three Tests aired live and free on BBC One, with full replays and on-demand streaming available through BBC iPlayer. Australian fans could watch free-to-air on Channel 9 and its 9Now streaming platform, while subscription options included Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.

The upshot

UK fans enjoyed free access to every minute of this series. In Australia, the choice between a free antenna signal and a paid subscription came down to whether you wanted additional camera angles and analysis.

Broadcast channels

BBC One carried all three matches on linear television, making this one of the most accessible international Rugby League events for UK audiences in years. The broadcaster has increased its Rugby League coverage since the sport’s return to mainstream scheduling.

Streaming options like Now TV

While the primary BBC offering covered the Ashes adequately, Sky Sports and its streaming platforms provided additional Rugby League content including pre-match build-up and post-match analysis. UK viewers with a Sky Sports subscription through Sky Sports could access supplementary coverage alongside the free-to-air BBC feeds.

Who won the England-Australia rugby league match?

Australia won all three Tests to complete a series whitewash. The final Test on 8 November 2025 at Headingley Stadium ended 30-8, with fullback Reece Walsh scoring two tries in the closing minutes to seal the result. According to NRL.com, the match was closer than the scoreline suggested at half-time, with England pulling within four points before the Kangaroos’ late surge.

Series results

Australia claimed the series 2-0 after the second Test, making the third match a dead rubber. Even so, both sides named competitive line-ups, and England pushed Australia harder than many expected through the opening 50 minutes of the third Test.

Key match scores

The first Test at Wembley on 25 October 2025 finished Australia 26, England 6. Nathan Cleary kicked two penalties for the Kangaroos in the second Test at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool on 1 November 2025, while Cameron Munster and Hudson Young scored tries. Harry Smith kicked two penalties for England. The second Test reached 4-4 at half-time with only penalties scored, as reported by Sky Sports.

What date is the first Ashes Test match?

The 2025 Rugby League Ashes opened at Wembley Stadium on 25 October 2025, with the match kicking off at 8 PM UK time. This timing was notable because evening starts are less common for Rugby League Test matches in the UK, where afternoon kick-offs have historically dominated scheduling.

Full 2025 schedule

The series ran across three consecutive weekends in late October and November 2025. The opening match at Wembley drew the largest crowd of the three, with the iconic stadium hosting its first Rugby League Test since the 2017 World Cup Final. The second Test moved to Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on 1 November, with an 11 AM kick-off.

Kick off times

Two of the three Tests kicked off at 11 AM UK time, a scheduling choice that made the matches accessible to viewers in Australia during their prime-time evening slots. The evening start for the Wembley Test suited a weekend crowd and BBC’s evening programming slot. All times were confirmed well in advance, allowing fans to plan attendance and viewing arrangements.

What time is England v Australia Ashes kick off?

UK fans needed to adjust their schedules for the 2025 Ashes, with kick-off times varying by venue and match. The first Test at Wembley started at 8 PM on 25 October 2025, while the second and third Tests both began at 11 AM UK time on 1 and 8 November respectively.

Match timings

Morning kick-offs are standard for Rugby League internationals when playing to Australian time zones, where a 11 AM start in the UK translates to an 11 PM evening slot in Sydney and Brisbane. This scheduling priority reflects the commercial value of the Australian broadcast audience.

UK start times

The contrast between the evening Wembley start and the morning kick-offs for the Liverpool and Leeds Tests reflected the different broadcast windows and audience strategies for each venue. BBC’s schedule accommodated the 8 PM Wembley start, while the earlier matches suited both the broadcaster’s daytime programming and the transatlantic audience.

Rugby League Ashes 2025 Fan Guide

The Rugby League Ashes returned to the international calendar in 2025 after a 22-year absence, with England hosting all three Tests for the first time since 2003. The series attracted strong attendance across Wembley, Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Headingley, with fans in both countries following through broadcast and streaming options.

Tickets and attendance

Ticket availability varied across the three venues, with Wembley’s larger capacity making it the most accessible option for the opening Test. Advance purchase was required for all matches, and the series drew a cross-section of loyal Rugby League supporters and new fans curious about the revived Ashes rivalry.

Why this matters

Attendance figures for each Test have not been officially released. The combination of strong advance interest and varied venue capacities makes attendance comparison between the three Tests difficult without confirmed data from the Rugby Football League.

History overview

The Rugby League Ashes has been contested 39 times since 1908. The series was not held between 2003 and 2025, a gap that left an entire generation of fans without the spectacle. England last won the Ashes in 1970, and Australia has since accumulated 13 consecutive series victories. In total Ashes history, Great Britain holds 20 series wins against Australia’s 19, though the modern rivalry directly involves England rather than the combined Great Britain side. For those interested in the history of international rugby league, you can find details on England women’s football team matches here: England women’s football team matches.

The 2025 series marked the first competitive encounter between England and Australia since the 2017 World Cup Final, when Australia won 6-0 in a tight contest. That match remains the most recent competitive fixture between the two nations before the Ashes revival.

Bottom line: Australia finds ways to win even in dead rubbers—UK fans should enjoy free BBC access while it lasts. Australian viewers wanting more than the basic Channel 9 feed will find Fox Sports and Kayo add tactical depth.

Series Timeline

The 2025 Rugby League Ashes unfolded across five weeks, with the series result effectively decided after the second Test. Here is how the matches played out.

2025 Round 1
England v Kangaroos first test at Wembley Stadium — Australia 26, England 6
1 November 2025
Second test at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool — Australia 14, England 4
8 November 2025
Third test at Headingley Stadium, Leeds — Australia 30, England 8
Ongoing since 1908
Men’s rugby league Ashes series history — 39 iterations

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

The verified facts about the 2025 Rugby League Ashes are comprehensive on the field. Broadcast details, match results, and player performances have been confirmed through multiple sources including NRL.com and Sky Sports. Certain peripheral details remain less documented.

Confirmed

  • Australia completed a 3-0 series whitewash
  • Final Test: Australia 30, England 8 at Headingley
  • Reece Walsh scored two tries in final 10 minutes
  • All three Tests broadcast in UK and Australia
  • Series followed 22-year hiatus since 2003

Unclear

  • Exact ticket pricing for each Test
  • Official attendance figures per venue
  • Individual player statistics breakdown
  • Viewership ratings per market
  • Future series scheduling plans

The catch: official attendance data has not been published by the Rugby Football League, making it difficult to assess the series’ commercial success beyond ticket sales announcements. The three-venue format tested different market sizes, but without confirmed figures, attendance comparisons remain speculative.

Australia were clinical in the final quarter and they needed to be, with England having matched them for long periods.

— NRL.com match report on third Test performance

Three of Australia’s five tries came from England errors, with most of the scoring happening in the final quarter of the game.

— Wikipedia analysis of 2025 Kangaroo Tour of England

Related reading: Sri Lanka vs England 1st Test result

Additional sources

techradar.com, flashscore.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, loverugbyleague.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Rugby League Ashes?

The Rugby League Ashes is a three-Test series between England and Australia, contested since 1908. It is considered one of the pinnacle events in international Rugby League, though the series has been held irregularly and was not played between 2003 and 2025.

How often is the Rugby League Ashes series held?

The Rugby League Ashes does not have a fixed schedule. It is arranged through bilateral agreements between the Australian Rugby League Commission and the Rugby Football League, and it may be several years between series depending on the international calendar.

Who are the key players in Aus vs England rugby league?

Reece Walsh, Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster, and Hudson Young were key contributors for Australia across the 2025 series. For England, Harry Smith was the primary points scorer in the second Test with two penalty goals. The third Test saw England give Australia a closer contest than the final 30-8 scoreline suggested at half-time.

What is the history of Rugby League Ashes?

The Rugby League Ashes began in 1908 and has been contested 39 times. England last won in 1970, with Australia winning 13 consecutive series since then. Great Britain has 20 overall series wins against Australia’s 19 when including the pre-1970 period, though England now competes separately from Great Britain in the modern format.

Where was the 2025 Rugby League Ashes third test played?

The third and final Test of the 2025 series was played at Headingley Stadium in Leeds on 8 November 2025. Australia won 30-8 in front of a crowd that pushed England to within four points at half-time before the Kangaroos’ late surge.

Are there women’s Rugby League Ashes matches?

The Rugby League Ashes is currently a men’s international competition. Women’s international Rugby League is played separately, with the Jillaroos (Australia) and England Women’s team competing in their own series and tournaments outside the traditional Ashes format.

What are live scores for Aus vs England rugby league?

The 2025 series results are Australia 26-6 (first Test), Australia 14-4 (second Test), and Australia 30-8 (third Test). Match centre details are available through Sky Sports and NRL.com.