Where does Ashes series defeat leave England?

England's two losses to Australia mean they have lost the first Ashes series since 2003

Amid the disappointment and recrimination that comes with losing the first Rugby League Ashes series for 22 years with a game to spare, England's players still feel they're not that far away from the world champions.

That belief has some basis. England have arguably been the better team in the first half of both Tests so far and will look to missed chances and some marginal refereeing calls as Sliding Doors moments.

But when Australia have gone through the gears at the start of the second half in both games – inspired by Reece Walsh at Wembley, and with a quickfire try double in Liverpool – England have had no response. The Kangaroos won 26-6 in London, and 14-4 on Merseyside.

Which begs the question as to where this leaves England as they look ahead to the World Cup, primarily to be held in Australia, 12 months from now.

England coach Shaun Wane feels a lack of opportunities to play international games have held his side back.

He points to the crowded English domestic schedule. Super League teams played three more regular league matches than National Rugby League sides in 2025, with Challenge Cup commitments to add to that.

It left no room for the usual mid-season international match, and there is currently not one planned for 2026. It raises the possibility of Saturday's final Ashes Test at Headingley being England's final match before their World Cup opener down under.

"If we want to nail our international calendar, we need to play teams like Australia more on a level playing field," Wane told a media conference on Thursday.

'It's the small details'

England's only try of the series so far was a consolation score in the Wembley loss

Critics of Wane and England will compare the current generation to the team who reached the 2017 World Cup final against Australia. That agonising 6-0 defeat is the closest the English have come to winning the tournament as a solo nation.

But Kallum Watkins, the only player to feature both in that final and the current squad, insists England have not gone backwards.

"I don't think so - we have been really close," he told BBC Sport when asked whether the gap has grown in the past eight years.

"We have a good core group of players; it is about giving them the experience of playing in these games. This Test series has been a platform for that, building up to the World Cup.

"It's the small details. We can match them physically, we showed that last week, and we have made chances - we just have to execute them."

St Helens prop Matty Lees, meanwhile, points to domestic results and England's showings in clean-sweep series wins over Tonga and Samoa since the last World Cup in 2022.

"At club level, we beat Penrith in the World Club Challenge [in 2023] - it is closer than they think," he said.

"But we need to get closer internationally; we were going the right way against Tonga and Samoa, and we have got better each game against Australia. It is going the right way."

'I love Shaun Wane'

The two losses to Australia have doubled the number of defeats suffered by England under Shaun Wane to four

So, if England are a match for Australia, why have they only scored one try in two matches and lost the past two games by an aggregate score of 40-10?

Lees points to poor tactical decisions in the opening Test which left England outnumbered in midfield and unable to line break, resulting in their best attacks coming from hopeful kicks while Australia ran the match with ball in hand.

England were more effective with their kicking at Hill Dickinson Stadium and matched Australia much better physically. Ultimately, both games were decided by individual Australian brilliance – Walsh at Wembley, Nathan Cleary at Everton.

"That first Test didn't lack effort, but lacked clarity in our roles," said Lees. "We fixed that in the second match. We were a lot happier and that showed. We were in there competing. Hopefully we can build on that."

"There were a few little switch-offs in Liverpool, a 10-minute spell when we weren't at it and top teams punish you," added team-mate Jez Litten. "For long spells we dominated, need the points to show for it.

"It feels like they have been more clinical. We have dominated large parts. Last week was a proper Test match and hopefully we get that again this week."

Tactical concerns inevitably lead to the coach's door. If it was up to the commenters below the line on BBC Sport's articles about this series, Wane would already be out on his ear.

His focus on defence and grinding teams down has been criticised, as have been some selections. The return of players in their thirties, such as Watkins and Joe Burgess - several years after their previous England caps - has been used to suggest that either Wane is guilty of regressive thinking or that he lacks quality options.

But speaking to players this week, there was unanimous support for the boss.

"I love Shaun Wane - he is passionate about his country, and I can relate to that," said Litten. "To come into camp and represent who we are as a nation is unreal. The way he gets the boys motivated is unreal, so hopefully we can finish on a high.

"If you look at someone who would do anything for his country, that is someone I want to play under. I'm proud to be part of this team."

While on paper the final Test is a dead rubber, it could still serve as a crucial bellwether for next October – especially if it is the last time England play before then.

Australia have picked a strong team, with the return of captain Isaah Yeo the only change from last week. Another loss will only ratchet up the pressure on Wane.

"We don't want an Australian whitewash," said Lees. "That will hopefully put us in a good place for the World Cup. It has definitely been a step up."