Rugby League Ashes: Joe Burgess to Return to England Squad After 10 Years
Joe Burgess will make his first international appearance in ten years after being selected in the 19-man England squad for the final Ashes Test against Australia. The 31-year-old Hull KR winger last represented England in the 2015 series against New Zealand.
Head coach Shaun Wane confirmed that Burgess will play against the Kangaroos at AMT Headingley in Leeds this Saturday. His selection completes a standout 2025 season, during which he played a vital role in Hull KR’s treble-winning campaign.
“It’s a credit to him, he has a new lease of life at Hull KR,” Wane said, reflecting on a player he had coached earlier at Wigan Warriors. “I am so happy to be able to give him a start. That means something to me.”
Speaking about his comeback, Burgess shared his determination and belief in rediscovering his form:
“Yeah, if I knuckled down — I did it once, could do it again. Once you get to 31, you wonder if it’s too late. But I knew I had the potential to play again. That’s always been the end goal.”
He also reflected on how special this season has been for him:
“This has been the best year of my life — winning the Challenge Cup and Super League, and now being recalled to the England squad. It’s unbelievable, and I still haven’t fully processed it.”
England go into the final test having lost the first two games of the series. They will be without winger Dom Young, who suffered a broken foot. For Australia, captain Isaah Yeo returns to the starting lineup after missing the second Test due to a failed head injury assessment.
Author Summary
Joe Burgess’s 2025 season ends on a high as he returns to England’s lineup after a decade, marking a personal and professional resurgence.