England have been criticised for failing to pick more NRL based players amid calls for AJ Bimson to come into the team to keep the Ashes series alive following a disappointing display in the opener.

England trailed 26-0 before losing the first Test 26-6 in a comprehensive hiding from Australia, with fullback Jack Welsby and half Mikey Lewis struggling against the Kangaroos superstars led by man-of-the-match Reece Walsh.

Titans star Brimson was 18th man after switching his allegiance to England ahead of the Ashes series, while there was no place for Morgan Smithies in the 17, despite him starring in the Raiders’ charge to the NRL minor premiership.

Grand Final NRL Oct 05 7:30pm AEST FT Storm 22 Broncos 26 MATCH CENTRE *Odds are current as of 27th October 2025, 9:36am

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