Rugby League Ashes: Offiah and Tallis ring London Stock Exchange bell ahead of Wembley opener

Anticipation for Saturday’s first Test in the Rugby League Ashes reached a new audience on Tuesday as legends from England and Australia rang the opening bell on the trading floor of the London Stock Exchange.

The first Ashes series in 22 years begins at Wembley this weekend, and Martin Offiah and Gorden Tallis - former superstars from the two competing nations – were given the honour of ringing the bell as the sport’s presence in the capital is ramped up ahead of Saturday’s game.

Betfred is the official partner of the England team, who go in search of a first Ashes series win in 55 years over the next three weekends. And the presence of two of the sport’s greats in such famous surroundings has only added further anticipation for the weekend’s big opener.

Flying winger Offiah’s name is synonymous with a fantastic era of Ashes battles, with his 481 career tries including five in 12 Test matches against Australia. His position in the English game is also immortalised as part of the Rugby League Statue erected outside Wembley Stadium.

Tallis, meanwhile, was a formidable presence in the Kangaroos pack around the turn of the century, competing against Great Britain in the Super League Test series of 1997 before winning the World Cup with his nation on English soil in 2000.

The invitation to the Stock Exchange came hot on the heels of news that the lower bowl of Wembley has now sold out ahead of what will be a record crowd for an Ashes match in the UK.

The previous record of 57,034 came at the old variant of the national stadium in 1994, when Jonathan Davies lit up the First Test with a sensational 50-metre solo try in an otherwise-tight 8-4 win for Great Britain.

There have long been ‘sold out’ signs hanging for the other two Tests in this year’s series, with Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium hosting the second clash on November 1 and AMT Headingley the venue for the final Test seven days later.

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The Managing Director of Rugby League Commercial, Rhodri Jones, expressed his delight at the interest in the eagerly-anticipated series at the ringing of the bell.

“We were delighted to be joined by the famous Rugby League Ashes trophy, and by Martin and Gorden, at the London Stock Exchange today for this special opportunity to celebrate the revival of the fierce rivalry after a 22-year absence,” Jones said.

“We feel privileged to be part of this unique ceremony and, for a brief moment, place rugby league at the beating heart of the UK’s economy. I am very thankful to the London Stock Exchange, Open Exchange and those who have made this possible.”

The first Test gets underway at 14:30 BST at Wembley on Saturday, with Shaun Wane’s side looking to record a first win for any England or Great Britain side since 1970.

The Kangaroos have won the last 13 stagings, including five by a 3-0 whitewash.

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