Watched by 132,418 fans – but will Rugby League Ashes stay?

As England left the field at Headingley, a sense of frustration lingered for multiple reasons.

Not solely due to the 30-8 loss on the day and the 3-0 series defeat against Australia, but also for the realization that this could be their last appearance in front of a home audience until 2027.

England currently have no home Tests scheduled for 2026, prior to the upcoming World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea. They are set to face New Zealand in a three-match series beginning in 23 months.

With the Super League poised to expand to a 14-team format next season, the likelihood of a mid-season Test match, removed from the schedule in 2025, seems slim.

It is unfortunate, especially since this Ashes series – the first since 2003 – has attracted significant attention.

A total of 132,418 spectators attended the three matches, with more than 60,000 present at Wembley and over 50,000 at Hill Dickinson Stadium. One might speculate that Headingley – the venue with a capacity of 19,500 for the final Test – could have easily filled seats twice over.

Given its appeal, what are the chances that the Ashes will become a regular occurrence?

There is an Australian tour scheduled for 2028, and BBC Sport understands that it would be an England team making the trip rather than Great Britain. While the series is likely to take place, specifics have yet to be established.

Australia is eager to compete against England once more – and not merely out of satisfaction from a 3-0 series victory.

Peter V’landys, chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, informed BBC Sport after the initial Test: «It’s a priority for us to enhance the visibility of the international game and restore pride into it.

«I perceive there is demand from the audience – as evidenced here with 60,000 attendees [at Wembley]. So clearly, there’s a significant interest. It must evolve into a consistent series.»

Following the final match, Australia’s coach Kevin Walters and captain Isaah Yeo expressed a desire for another Ashes series in the near future.

«Some in the Australian media have remarked that it is a walk in the park,» Walters stated. «But come over and experience it with them. It’s remarkable Test football.

«Winning consistently and performing at the highest level is challenging. England made it difficult for us. We need to improve and learn from this for next time.

«We hold great respect for England. They play a different brand of football here. The Ashes should be held regularly for both of our national teams to enhance their performance.»

«Twenty-two years is far too long,» added Yeo. «With the international landscape continuously growing, we don’t want to lose that. The history surrounding it… it should be a constant feature.»

Indeed, Australia embraced the touring ethos. Not only did they triumph on the field, but they also outshone England in the public relations aspect.

England neglected to conduct Captain’s Runs – pre-match training sessions led by the captain, a tradition in rugby series – while Australia embraced it. Their session at Wembley coincided with pop star Jon Bon Jovi’s visit to promote his forthcoming tour, creating an excellent photo opportunity.

After concluding the series at Everton’s venue, the Australians enjoyed a Halloween night out in Liverpool. They traveled to Edinburgh and took a leap into the North Sea before the third Test, and trained in Leeds – the host city for the match – while England camped across the Pennines in Wigan.

Before and after the games, fans lined up for photos with the Australian stars. Nathan Cleary and Reece Walsh received particular attention.

So while Australia desires the Ashes, it’s clear that England needs them.

Although it is frustrating to lose three matches on home ground, England gained valuable experience ahead of the World Cup. Competing against the best in the world is essential for progress.

Several elements will always challenge England. Rugby league is a minority sport in this country, with 11 times more participants in Australia, where popularity and exposure lead to significantly higher funding.

Moreover, there seems to be a psychological barrier. Did England, who never led during any of the three matches in the series, ever truly think they could defeat Australia?

In the first two matches, England had better completion rates and made more passes than Australia – yet by the end of game three, the Kangaroos had triumphed with an aggregate score of 70-18, scoring 11 tries against just two.

They demonstrated their potential throughout the series, with performances improving as they progressed. However, missed opportunities, a hesitant attacking style – advancing the ball within 10 metres without a clear strategy – and frequent individual defensive errors proved costly.

Moreover, structural challenges are at play. Super League teams already engage in more domestic games than those in Australia’s National Rugby League, and this situation will be exacerbated when the English league expands in 2026. Games played in Australia, bolstered by the play-off system and crucial State of Origin matches, tend to be of a higher caliber.

«What occurs commercially with Super League is beyond my control, but the quantity and intensity of matches is an issue,» remarked England coach Shaun Wane. «We are set to play 10 additional matches and are anticipated to excel in the World Cup next year.

«I need to discuss our future direction in the coming weeks and how to prepare these players for the World Cup next year.»

Wane, despite chants from the Leeds crowd insisting he will be «sacked in the morning,» asserts he is «definitely» the right person to guide England into the World Cup, indicating he will likely be the one to solve how they can overcome Australia.

Yet, the future of international rugby league – for Wane, for England, and for the Ashes – remains uncertain.