Joe Burgess England Return: Winger Poised for First Cap in 10 Years After Hull KR Treble Glory
Joe Burgess is on the verge of one of the most inspiring comebacks in modern rugby league history. The 31-year-old Hull KR flyer hasn’t worn an England shirt since 2015, but his blistering 2025 season has earned him a place in Shaun Wane’s 19-man squad for the Ashes series finale against Australia.
Key Points
- Burgess last played for England in the 2015 Baskerville Shield against New Zealand (3 caps total).
- Selected for the third Test on Saturday 8 November 2025 at AMT Headingley, Leeds (2:30pm GMT, live on BBC One).
- Replaces injured Dom Young; first England call-up in a decade.
- Hull KR’s 2025 treble (Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield, Super League Grand Final) underpinned his recall.
- Sold-out Headingley expected to host 17,500+ passionate fans.
A Decade of Determination: Why Burgess Deserves This Moment
Ten years is an eternity in elite sport. Most players who disappear from international rugby league at 21 never return. Joe Burgess has defied that script.
His three England appearances came during the 2015 series against New Zealand, where the then-Wigan youngster scored a spectacular try at Olympia. A combination of injuries, overseas stints, and fierce competition kept him out of the national frame for the next decade. Yet 2025 has been transformational.
At Hull KR, Burgess delivered career-best numbers: 28 tries in 32 appearances, including crucial scores in the Challenge Cup final victory over Wigan and the Grand Final triumph against Leigh. His explosive pace, improved defence, and relentless work-rate made him the standout winger in Super League. Shaun Wane, never one to ignore form, had no choice but to pick him.
This isn’t sentimentality—it’s recognition of sustained excellence. At 31, Burgess is faster, stronger, and smarter than the teenager who debuted in 2015. His selection proves that consistent domestic dominance still matters in the international game.
Ashes Finale: Pride, Passion, and a Packed Headingley
The Ashes urn already belongs to Australia after commanding victories at Wembley (26-6) and Liverpool (14-4). But Saturday’s decider at AMT Headingley is about far more than silverware.
England need a performance that restores belief ahead of the 2026 World Cup. A sold-out crowd—Headingley’s first rugby league sell-out since the 2021 World Cup semi-final—will create an atmosphere that can rattle even the Kangaroos.
For Burgess, the stage couldn’t be more perfect. Ten years after his last England try, he has the chance to score against the world’s best team in front of a raucous Yorkshire crowd. Win or lose, his story will dominate headlines.
England Squad: Experience Meets Hungry New Blood
Shaun Wane has made strategic changes to freshen his side:
| Position | Key Inclusions | Notable Absentees |
|---|---|---|
| Wing | Joe Burgess | Dom Young (broken foot) |
| Centre | Harry Newman (home debut) | Jake Wardle |
| Second-row | – | John Bateman (ankle) |
| Fullback | – | Jack Welsby (dropped) |
Full 19-man England squad AJ Brimson, Joe Burgess, Daryl Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Tom Johnstone, Mikey Lewis, Harry Newman, Mikolaj Oledzki, George Williams (c), Harry Smith, Mike McMeeken, Jez Litten, Matty Lees, Kai Pearce-Paul, Kallum Watkins, Morgan Knowles, Owen Trout, Alex Walmsley, Morgan Smithies.
Harry Newman returns for his first appearance of the series, giving England a lethal left-edge combination with Herbie Farnworth likely shifting to left centre. Veteran Kallum Watkins earns his 31st cap, providing crucial leadership alongside captain George Williams.
Australia: One Change, Same Dominance
The Kangaroos make just one alteration, with captain Isaah Yeo returning after passing HIA protocols.
Australia XIII
- Reece Walsh, 2. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Isaah Yeo (c) Interchange: 14. Tom Dearden, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Keaon Koloamatangi Reserves: Bradman Best, Lindsay Smith, Mitchell Moses
This is the same spine that dismantled England twice already. Only a monumental defensive effort—and some Burgess magic—can change the narrative.
Shaun Wane: “We Want to Finish with a Bang”
The England coach didn’t sugar-coat the series loss but refused to let heads drop.
“We’re disappointed not to be playing for the Ashes, but Saturday is about pride,” Wane said. “Joe Burgess has had an outstanding season—28 tries don’t lie. Harry Newman on his home ground will be special. The fans at Headingley always deliver; now it’s our turn.”
His message was clear: this team owes supporters a performance worthy of the shirt.
Why This Match Matters Beyond the Scoreline
Rugby league thrives on stories, and Joe Burgess’s decade-long journey from forgotten prospect to treble-winning match-winner is pure inspiration. Young players watching on BBC One will see proof that persistence pays.
For England, victory would transform a disappointing series into a statement of intent before the 2026 World Cup. For Australia, it’s about completing a first Ashes clean sweep since 2003.
But make no mistake: Saturday afternoon belongs to Joe Burgess. Ten years after his last England appearance, the Hull KR star has the chance to remind everyone why he was once tipped as the next big thing—and prove he’s even better now.
