Rugby League Ashes: England skipper’s rallying cry for ‘a win for our country’

England captain George Williams insists that his side “need to get a win for our country” in the third and final Test of the Rugby League Ashes having lost the first two matches to Australia.

The Kangaroos were 14-4 victors in Liverpool last weekend, adding to an opening 26-6 win at Wembley, but Williams says there’s still so much to play for on Saturday at AMT Headingley.

The Warrington Wolves and England skipper has told The Last Tackle, The Sportsman Rugby League’s weekly magazine show, that there are some key drivers pushing on the Three Lions despite the series loss.

“We’ve still got a lot of belief and pride. We need to get a win for our country, and we try that every time we go out there,” Williams explains. “We got closer in the second Test, fingers crossed we go a little bit better and manage to get one over the line.”

And the stand-off believes that the Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley ground is the perfect place to take on the Aussies in the final clash of the autumn showpiece.

“I think it’s a great stadium to play at. It’s my favourite away ground in the Super League, so hopefully they can bring the same energy and make it a hostile environment as they normally due when I’m playing for Warrington.

“We need the England fans behind us. Obviously they’re disappointed just like we are. We’re 2-0 down but there’s still something to play for.”

There’s no covering up the letdown of losing the first two Tests, but the former Wigan Warriors and Canberra Raiders star reckons his team weren’t far off it at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in game two.

“It is disappointing, but it’s a good lesson for all of us involved. We can’t switch off for a couple of seconds, and we did for about 10 minutes [in Liverpool] and it cost us the game and the series.

“There’s a lot to take from it. We’re gutted, but we’ve got one more game to get some pride back.”

Rugby League Odds

The game at Headingley kicks off at 14:30 GMT on Saturday, but there’s another England v Australia encounter now planned for February after the announcement that the Betfred World Club Challenge will return for 2026.

Betfred Super League winners Hull KR will take on the NRL-conquering Brisbane Broncos in the ‘Clash of the Champions’ at the MKM Stadium in Hull on Thursday, February 19 for the right to be called the best club in the world.

Hull KR chief executive Paul Lakin is delighted that his club are involved in the fixture for the first time in their history, just nine days ahead of their huge Betfred Super League clash with Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas.

“With offers from around the world to host the game, we are delighted to bring the Betfred World Club Challenge home to Hull, allowing supporters, not just from the city but the whole region and beyond, the opportunity to see the world’s two best Rugby League sides go head-to-head,” Lakin explained in the official announcement.

“With round one of our title defence in the Super League, and a trip to Las Vegas for the ‘Battle of Yorkshire’ a week after the Betfred World Club Challenge, February is set to be the most exciting month in the club's illustrious history as we take the Robins to the global stage.

“We’d like to place on record our thanks to the Brisbane Broncos, the NRL, Rugby League Commercial and stadium hosts, Hull City, for their support in making the game happen.

“We’re determined to put on the biggest Rugby League event the city has ever seen, with world class entertainment on and off the field at a sold out MKM Stadium.”

Tickets for the Betfred World Club Challenge are on sale to Hull KR members from Friday, November 14 with general sale beginning on Monday, November 17.

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