Real lack of preparation keeps us worlds apart

ENGLAND remain in the dark as to whether they will play another fixture between today’s final Ashes Test and next year's World Cup.

- BY JOSH MCALLISTER AND MATT SHAW

“Tve heard nothing’ head coach Shaun Wane said, regarding a potential mid-season Test, a fixture that was scrapped this year and has left England unsure about their 2026 campaign.

With Super League preparing to expand to a 14-team competition next year, the chances of a window opening for an international Test appear slim.

England were restricted to only off-feet sessions - conditioning workouts that build cardiovascular fitness - ahead of this year's Ashes and only managed to train on-field together less than two weeks ahead of the first Test at Wembley. The result: two defeats to Australia, the Kangaroos sealing the series with a game to spare.

“Td love to get all the players together for more than an off-feet session. I didn’t even have that,” said Wane.