Smithies named in England team for final Ashes match

Knights winger Dom Young has been ruled out of the England team for the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley with a broken foot.

England coach Shaun Wane revealed that Young had suffered the injury in the final minutes of the second Test at Everton, won 14-4 by the Kangaroos, who retained the Ashes in the first series for 22 years.

Wane has named former Rabbitohs and Roosters winger Joe Burgess to replace Young, while centre Harry Newman comes into the team for Saturday's Test at Headlingley Stadium in place of Jack Wardle. 

Cowboys second-rower John Bateman remains sidelined after rolling his ankle in the lead-up to the second Test.

Burgess, who was a key figure in Hull KR’s treble-winning 2025 campaign, is set to make his first England appearance since a 2015 series victory over New Zealand – in the early years of his career with Wigan.

Newman is one of three Leeds players in the 19-man squad, with Rhinos team-mate and former Titan Kallum Watkins the most experienced Test player after earning his 30th England cap last weekend. Leeds prop Mikolaj Oledzki is also set to play a home Test.

“Of course, we are disappointed not to be going into this final game with the opportunity to win The Ashes, but the goal now is to come away from the series with a victory," Wane said.

“We did a lot of good things last week but ultimately, we need to be even better if we want to get a win this weekend.

“It will be great to see Joe Burgess and Harry Newman in action this weekend. Joe has had a great season with Hull KR and Harry has been a consistent performer for me in an England jersey.

“I’ve no doubt the England supporters will get behind us once more as they have in previous seasons at Headingley - and hopefully we can give them something to celebrate come Saturday evening.”