Harry Newman and Joe Burgess Included in England Squad for Final Ashes Test
Harry Newman and Joe Burgess have been added to Shaun Wane’s 19-man England squad for the third and final rugby league Ashes Test against Australia, set to take place at Headingley.
Newman’s call-up ensures that three Leeds players could feature on home turf, alongside Kallum Watkins and Mikolaj Oledzki, who both retained their spots from last week’s defeat at Everton. Newman replaces Wigan centre Wardle, while Hull KR winger Joe Burgess comes in for Dom Young, sidelined after suffering a broken foot at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Although the upcoming clash at Headingley holds no bearing on the series outcome, head coach Shaun Wane is determined to end the campaign on a positive note and avoid a repeat of the 3–0 whitewash that England, then Great Britain, endured in the 2003 Test series.
“Of course we are disappointed not to be going into this final game with the opportunity to win the Ashes, but the goal now is to come away from the series with a victory,” said Shaun Wane. “We did a lot of good things last week but ultimately, we need to be even better if we want to get a win this weekend.”
“It will be great to see Joe Burgess and Harry Newman in action this weekend. Joe has had a great season with Hull KR and Harry has been a consistent performer for me in an England jersey.”
Author’s Summary
England coach Shaun Wane named Harry Newman and Joe Burgess for the final Ashes Test, aiming to finish the series with pride after earlier setbacks.