Smithies fired up to join Raiding party

AUSSIE-BASED STAR IS BACK TO SAVE ASHES

- BY JOSH MCALLISTER

MORGAN SMITHIES is raring to go after earning a recall for England’s must-win Ashes Test today.

The Yorkshireman, 24, was part of England's squads for the Tonga and Samoa series, but did not feature.

Now, after a standout season in the NRL, he is set for his first cap since April 2023 and Smithies is determined to make up for lost time.

“Not playing last year, it probably motivated me to have a big preseason at Canberra Raiders and have a good year with them and hopefully get an England call-up at the end of the year,” said Smithies, who helped the Raiders secure the 2025 NRL minor premiership.