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NSW and Queensland will play England during the Wheelchair World Cup holder's Ashes tour in a move set to bolster the playing stocks of the Wheelaroos ahead of RLWC2026.

England, the No.1 ranked wheelchair nation in the IRL World Rankings, will play Australia in a two Test series at the end of the year - a trip they believe will be the perfect way to prepare for their World Cup defence in Australia in 2026.

Dates have now been confirmed for a four-match tour which will include State fixtures against New South Wales and Queensland before two Tests against the fourth-ranked Wheelaroos on the Gold Coast. 

After playing New Zealand for the first time in 2024, the Wheelaroos will ramp up preparations for RLWC2026 with an Ashes series against England.
After playing New Zealand for the first time in 2024, the Wheelaroos will ramp up preparations for RLWC2026 with an Ashes series against England. ©NRL Photos

Wheelchair Rugby League Australia chair Darren Gocher said the NSW and Queensland matches against England would expose a wider pool of talent to international competition.

"It is fantastic to have England out here later in the year," Gocher said.

"They are obviously the leading nation in terms of Wheelchair Rugby League and in the lead up to the World Cup next year it is a great opportunity for the Wheelaroos to get some match experience and test themselves.

"It also gives us an opportunity to have a look at players who are coming through and will be in line for selection at the World Cup."

NSW and Queensland players will push for Ashes selection in the annual Interstate Challenge on July 13 at The Whitlam Leisure Centre in Sydney.   

The Tests on October 30 and November 2 at the Gold Coast Indoor Sport and Leisure Centre will bookend the National Championships at the same venue.

England last toured Australia in 2019 and also played two Tests, winning 84-28 in Sydney and 58-20 in Wollongong.

They then beat the Wheelaroos 38-8 at the Copper Box Arena in London in the opening game of their triumphant World Cup campaign in 2022.

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Match Highlights: England v Australia

But England are braced for a much sterner challenge following the increased focus on Wheelchair Rugby League in Australia in recent years.

Martin Coyd OBE, the General Manager of England Wheelchair Rugby League, said: “We are excited to have confirmation of an Ashes Tour at the end of the year.

“It will be a significant event in its own right, as playing Australia on their own territory is always a major challenge, and one that our England players will relish.

“We are especially pleased to be touring the year ahead of our World Cup defence, as an Ashes series will raise the profile of Wheelchair Rugby League in Australia.

“The prospect of a trip to Australia will provide an extra edge and spice to the domestic 2025 season, as we’ve already seen in our Invitational Festival in Nottingham, and the England Tri-Series in York last weekend, with players looking to earn selection in the squad.

“It is clear that the pool of talent has grown and we have nine clubs represented by the 24 players who are currently on the National Talent Pathway, all striving for a seat on the aeroplane in October.”

2025 England Wheelchair Ashes tour

Friday, October 24
New South Wales v England (Sydney)

Monday, October 27
Queensland v England (Sunshine Coast)

Thursday, October 30
First Test: Australia v England (Gold Coast)

Sunday, November 2
Second Test: Australia v England (Gold Coast)