Overview
- Australia’s rugby league side beat England 26-6 at Wembley to open the first Ashes series since 2003, with Reece Walsh scoring two tries on debut and earning man-of-the-match.
- Angus Crichton also crossed twice and Nathan Cleary kicked four conversions and a penalty as a record Ashes crowd of 60,812 watched the Kangaroos take a 1-0 series lead.
- Captain Isaah Yeo failed a head injury assessment and will miss the second Test in Liverpool, with the series finale scheduled for Headingley in Leeds.
- The Wallabies ground out a 19-15 win over Japan in rain-soaked Tokyo, featuring a first Test as captain for Nick Champion de Crespigny, who scored alongside Josh Flook and Carlo Tizzano.
- Australia’s union squad managed 13 rotations and early lock injuries to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham, while prop Aidan Ross debuted for the Wallabies to become the fifth man to represent both Australia and New Zealand, with Tests against England, Italy, Ireland and France to come.