Captain relishing Ashes showdown

SHAUN Wane was five years old the last time a British team deprived Australia of the rugby league Ashes, which illustrates the size of the task facing his England side at Wembley today as they begin their daunting quest to make up for almost a lifetime of hurt.

- by Mark Staniforth

England captain George Williams at Wembley Stadium earlier this week

The head coach has spoken all week of the danger of underestimating his England side but the statistics are all too evident: the last time they then Great Britain raised the famous trophy was with a 28-7 win in the decisive third match in Sydney in 1970, thanks to a match-winning try from Roger Millward.