Selection dilemmas to fire up the Ashes

WANE WEIGHING UP SOME TANTALISING OPTIONS AHEAD OF SERIES

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It's a straight shoot-out in the halves between Wigan's Harry Smith and Hull KR's Mikey Lewis, pictured in Grand Final action last weekend

SHES rugby league returns to these shores next Saturday after a 22-year absence.

The first of a three-match series between England and Australia kicks off at Wembley with games to follow on consecutive Saturdays at Everton's Hill-Dickinson Stadium and AMT Headingley in Leeds.

England boss Shaun Wane has named his 24-man squad and in all honesty I don’t think there are many surprises.

Yes, there’s been a fair amount of noise about the exclusion of Leeds halfback Jake Connor, the 2025 Man Of Steel, but it’s not hard to imagine that he might not quite be Wane’s cup of tea.

Although the selection doesn’t quite invoke the famous ‘Dad’s Army’ criticism of the selection for the second Ashes Test back in 1978 when a front-row of players in their mid-30s was picked, it would be fair to say Wane gives a heavy tariff to loyalty, experience and those he believes have got credit in the bank.

(Incidentally, back in 1978 when Jim Mills (34), Tony Fisher (35), and Brian Lockwood (32) donned the Great Britain jersey at Odsal Stadium ...we won!).