Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Wembley

Captain George Williams and Mikey Lewis start as England’s half-back pairing for the first time after Williams’ regular partner Harry Smith was left out of Shaun Wane’s 19-man squad.

Leigh forward Owen Trout could make his England debut after being named among the interchanges.

Alongside him is St Helens prop Alex Walmsley, who could make his first international appearance since a 2021 win over France.

England XIII: Welsby, Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone, Williams, Lewis, Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles

Interchanges: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken

Australia have named a trio of debutants in their starting line-up, with all three in the back line.

NRL Grand Final man of the match Reece Walsh has edged out Dylan Edwards at full-back, while former union international Mark Nawaqanitawase is on the wing, and Gehamat Shibasaki is at centre.

Another uncapped player, Keaon Koloamatangi, is on the interchange bench.

Australia XIII: Walsh, Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr, Munster, Cleary, Carrigan, Grant, Fa'asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo

Interchanges: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi

Time for some team news...

Image source, BBC Sport

Talking of George Williams, the England captain has been on media duties with a BBC Sport column, and he says he is looking forward to Saturday's first Ashes Test against Australia, which kicks off the first touring Kangaroos series since 2003.

We're almost there. England versus Australia at Wembley, and I mean it when I say, as a group, I don't think we've ever been more ready than this.

It's the best England set-up I've been a part of, and I've been a part of it for 10 years now so I'm getting old.

I don't say that lightly. It's our best chance.

There's been a lot of talk over the past six months, and a lot of meetings with head coach Shaun Wane, and you walk out of those meetings wanting to play the game right there.

Now the game is upon us. I'm looking forward to his talk on Saturday because we'll be firing and ready to go.

This is what I did it for at Wigan St Pats at seven years old. You never think you'll reach these heights, as a kid with a dream. At 30, I'm still pinching myself that this is what I do. I love what I do. You can never get bored with this.

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Jay Freeman
BBC Sport

The Ashes takes its name and format from the cricket series of the same title, and has traditionally pitted Australia against Great Britain.

Unlike cricket's Ashes, no actual ashes are involved - but that is not to say it is lacking in history or heritage.

Having first taken place in 1908, the series was contested 39 times until 2003, with Great Britain and Australia usually taking it in turns to host.

Following the last series in 2003, Great Britain as an international entity was largely wound down from 2006, barring an ill-fated return in 2019.

The introduction of the Tri-Nations and Four Nations tournaments, as well as England's failure to reach the final of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, means that opportunities to face Australia have been limited in the 22 years since a Darren Lockyer-captained side swept aside the Lions.

A series had been mooted to take place in 2020 but was delayed by the Covid pandemic and was eventually agreed for this year.

Great Britain's most recent victory against Australia in an Ashes series was a 20-12 win on 11 November 2001 In short, for many years, the game had changed.

Appetite down under for international rugby league waned as the yearly State of Origin series, which pits representative players from New South Wales and Queensland against each other in a best-of-three competition, took precedence, along with the National Rugby League (NRL).

In recent times, however, international rugby league has enjoyed something of a revival.

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Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Wembley

Welcome to Wembley, where it definitely feels like British Summer Time is ending. Dark clouds and drizzle serenaded me on my way from hotel to national stadium today.

While some British weather might help England today, wet and muddy conditions would make this a game where the pack dominates - and that is Australia's greatest strength.

The pitch however looks in good nick, ideal for a quick running game. And that might just benefit England.

Image source, Getty Images

Now this fixture could well have been the World Cup final, three years back had Samoa not spoiled the party in their semi-final against an error-strewn England.

The weight of expectation seemed to get to Shaun Wane's side that day as they made a series of uncharacteristic mistakes and it feels as though they have been chomping at the bit ever since to get a crack at the world champions, Australia.

The two nations have not played each other in a competitive match since the 2017 World Cup final, when Australia beat England 6-0 in a hard-fought encounter in Brisbane.

When it comes to the Ashes mind, the series dates back to 1908, and 2025 will be the first time the series is contested by England, and not Great Britain.

Australia have won 20, including the previous 13, Great Britain/England have been victorious 19 times.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a long time between drinks...

Just the 22 years since Australia defeated Great Britain 3-0 in much more closely contested series than the scoreline suggests.

And there have been moments of magic, thunderous tackles, several dust ups and some agonising defeats (mainly for England/Great Britain) in recent times.

Will Shaun Wane's England team be able to rewrite the history books as they bid to win the Ashes for the first time since 1970?

Hold on to your headguards and welcome to the Ashes - three blood-and-thunder battles starting this afternoon at Wembley.