Aus vs England Rugby League 2025: Ashes Scores, TV & History

After a 22-year hiatus, the Rugby League Ashes returned in 2025 — and Australia made sure everyone noticed. The Kangaroos posted a dominant 3‑0 whitewash, the first clean sweep since 2003, leaving England’s home‑advantage hopes in tatters.

Series result: Australia 3‑0 (2025) ·
First Ashes series: 1908 ·
2025 test venues: 3 stadiums in England ·
Australia wins (all time): 132 ·
England wins (all time): 57 ·
2025 broadcasters: BBC Sport, Fox League, 9Now

The series produced a lopsided scorecard that confirms Australia’s enduring dominance in the international game.

Is England v Australia rugby league on TV?

The short answer is yes — every 2025 Ashes test was available on free‑to‑air television in the UK and through multiple streaming services in Australia. Here’s how the broadcast rights broke down.

What TV channels broadcast the Rugby League Ashes?

• United Kingdom: All three tests aired live on BBC One, with full replays available on BBC iPlayer (Radio Times UK listings guideRadio Times).
• Australia: The series was carried by 9Now (free) and Fox League (subscription) (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia).
• TNT Sports also offered coverage via cable, with Now TV day passes available for cord‑cutters.

Can I stream the matches online?

• BBC iPlayer and 9Now both provided free live streaming; no subscription needed for the BBC broadcasts.
• Watch NRL International Pass carried the series globally for Aus/NZ audiences.

Broadcasters banked on the revival’s nostalgia factor, and early ratings suggest they were right. For UK fans, the series couldn’t have been easier to watch.

Who won the England-Australia rugby league match?

Australia won all three tests, completing a clean sweep for the first time since 2003. The final test scoreline — 30‑8 at Elland Road — underlined the gulf in class.

What was the score in each 2025 test?

• Test 1 (Wembley, 1 Nov): Australia 26 – 14 England (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia)
• Test 2 (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 8 Nov): Australia 22 – 12 England (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia)
• Test 3 (Elland Road, Leeds, 15 Nov): Australia 30 – 8 England (Radio Times UK listings guideRadio Times)

Harry Grant crossed for two tries in the final test, sealing the Man of the Match award (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia).

Who were the top try-scorers in the series?

• Australia’s Harry Grant (3 tries total), Valentine Holmes (2), and Liam Martin (2) led the scoring charge.
• England’s lone bright spot: Tom Johnstone scored a try in the second test but the hosts never built momentum.

The implication: Australia’s depth in the NRL talent pool proved overwhelming. England, despite home advantage, could not sustain pressure for more than 20 minutes per test.

Has England ever beaten Australia in rugby league?

Yes, but the historical ledger is lopsided. England and its predecessor Great Britain have won 57 tests against Australia, yet the last series win came in 1970.

What is the all-time head-to-head record?

• Total matches played (1908–2025): 194 (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia)
• Australia wins: 132 (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia)
• England/Great Britain wins: 57 (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia)
• Draws: 5
• Australia have won 13 consecutive Ashes series since 1970 (Radio Times UK listings guideRadio Times)

What was England’s last victory over Australia?

England’s most recent test win was in 2020, a one‑off friendly, but they have not won an Ashes series since 1970. The 2023 match ended in a draw (Radio Times UK listings guideRadio Times).

What this means: For English fans, the statistic is stark — one series win in 55 years. The ambition to “bring the Ashes home” remains a long‑term project.

What are the Rugby League Ashes 2025 dates?

The series was condensed into three weekends in November, all played on English soil after the original plan to stage it in Australia was reversed in October 2024 (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia).

Where were the 2025 Ashes tests played?

• Test 1: 1 November 2025 – Wembley Stadium, London (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia)
• Test 2: 8 November 2025 – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia)
• Test 3: 15 November 2025 – Elland Road, Leeds (Radio Times UK listings guideRadio Times)

What is the full schedule for the series?

• All tests kicked off at 14:30 GMT (BBC One coverage from 14:00).
• The series was officially branded the “ABK Beer Ashes Series” under a sponsorship deal (Wikipedia community encyclopediaWikipedia).

The catch: Short notice and a packed autumn calendar meant limited build‑up, but the venues still sold out within weeks — a sign of pent‑up demand for international rugby league.

How to watch the Rugby League Ashes 2025?

Even though the 2025 series has concluded, this information remains useful for fans wanting to re‑watch or catch highlights, and for those planning ahead for the next Ashes series.

What streaming options are available in the UK?

• All three tests are available on BBC iPlayer on demand (Radio Times UK listings guideRadio Times).
• Extended highlights are posted on the Rugby Football League YouTube channel.

How to watch the Ashes in Australia?

• Full match replays available on 9Now (free) and Fox League (subscription).
• Watch NRL International Pass still offers the series for overseas subscribers.

For fans who missed the live action, the digital afterlife of the series is significant — highlight clips on BBC Sport social channels have already racked up 4.5 million views.

For English rugby league, the 2025 Ashes was a sobering reality check. Australia’s NRL production line keeps churning out world‑class talent, and until the domestic England system can match that depth, the trophy will stay Down Under. For Australian fans, the whitewash is proof that the gap hasn’t narrowed despite England’s home advantage. The RFL now faces the clear question: what investment will close that gap before the next Ashes in 2026?