"The pantheon of players who have represented England and Great Britain in the past 22 years is a modernday who's who of the game. Sam Burgess, James Graham, Sean O'Loughlin, James Roby the list is long, storied and impressive. You could argue there is plenty dividing those players, not least their ferocious rivalries at club level in Super League. But"
"Since 2003 the concept has been on hiatus but, finally, on Saturday it returns in some style. Wembley will not be sold out, but there will be the biggest crowd on these shores for an Ashes Test as England and Australia renew acquaintances for the first time since the 2017 World Cup final and for the first time in a series since 2003."
"The answer? In short, there has been little desire from Australia to have these occasions on until recently. However, the rescheduled World Cup in 2022 proved to be a catalyst for the revival of the international game. Australia came to England, won the tournament and their players left with a renewed sense of optimism for pulling on the green and gold jersey."
A long list of notable England and Great Britain players never had the chance to play in an Ashes series due to a long hiatus since 2003. The Ashes return to England with Wembley hosting the first Test and sold-out second and third Tests at Everton and Headingley, marking the biggest home Ashes crowd in years. Australia's limited desire to stage the series ended after the rescheduled 2022 World Cup, where Australia toured, won and left players optimistic. The emergence of annual Pacific Championships and a long-term international calendar followed. A planned 2020 series was cancelled by Covid-19.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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