Overview
- Australia confirmed four Kangaroos debutants for the Ashes opener at Wembley, with Reece Walsh starting at fullback over Dylan Edwards and Mark Nawaqanitawase set to become a dual international.
- Organisers expect more than 55,000 at Wembley for the first Ashes series staged in the UK in 22 years, as England coach Shaun Wane delays naming his lineup and embraces the underdog tag.
- Joe Schmidt changed 13 Wallabies starters for Saturday’s Test in Tokyo, appointing Nick Champion de Crespigny captain and retaining only halves Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed from the last outing.
- Former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross was named on the Wallabies bench and is eligible to become just the fifth player to represent both New Zealand and Australia in Test rugby.
- New Wales coach Steve Tandy recalled Louis Rees‑Zammit after his NFL bid, naming the winger in a 39‑man autumn squad alongside returning captain Jac Morgan.