2m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:39pm
Grant hopes Ashes are here to stay
“It’s been awesome. For a lot of Australians, it’s been our first chance to play against England, and for the England boys, it’s been a first opportunity to play against Australia,” Grant says on BBC One.
“It’s been enjoyable. I hope everyone’s enjoyed the spectacle of the three games.
“We’ve played some really good footy. London, Liverpool and now here in Leeds – this is the best atmosphere we’ve had, so thanks everyone for turning up.
“Hopefully this contest can keep going for many years to come.”
3m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:38pm
Ashes triumph a “dream come true” for Walsh
“It was a tough one. We knew they would come out firing. It wasn’t our best footy, but we got the job done in the end,” Reece Walsh said on BBC One.
“I wouldn’t say that is the best we can play. A bit scrappy. Proud of our defence – we are just hungry to get better and that is something we can take pride in.
“It has been amazing. Back home, everyone speaks about the weather – we came and it has been beautiful.
“It is a cool experience to have. The game is going well over here, and we want to boost it and make it better.
“It is a dream from the kid that grew up to where I am now.”
4m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:37pm
Cameron Munster is player of the series
The winner of the inaugural Fulton-Reilly Medal as player of the series is Cameron Munster and it’s well-deserved.
Across all three games he was very impressive, playing with the class we’ve come to know and the intelligence that was on show in Queensland’s Origin series win.
Good stuff for the veteran, he’s still at the top of his game.
15m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:27pm
Fulltime: Australia 30 def England 8
That’ll do us – Australia have won the day and the Ashes with a big win in what was the best game of the series.
Grant and Munster both excellent and Walsh showed his class late. Jez Litten, the Hull KR dummy half, was England’s best and I thought Alex Walmsley, the bench prop, also had a strong game.
17m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:24pm
77′ Walsh finishes it off with a stunner
Now THAT’S a Walsh try – off a scrum, Australia get him some quick ball, he steps twice off his left foot and scores a brilliant individual try.
He left Watkins and Walmsley grasping at thin air and he celebrates with his toilet drinking celebration (man, I’ll never get used to typing that).
Once Cleary converts it’s 30-8 Australia and it’s a big win now.
20m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:21pm
Man of the match is Harry Grant
The Kangaroos vice-captain has deservingly been judged best on ground. He’s had a super game around the ruck, been sensational.
Munster probably next best for the Kangaroos.
23m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:18pm
Update
England not great in the red zone. Hardly surprising, between the short in goal area and the 7 tackle set rule the grubber has been killed off. Takes away so much attacking possibility.
– Ben
Reckon the change in the drop out rules has something to do with it as well Ben – removes the incentive to build pressure.
27m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:14pm
67′ Walsh wraps it up with a try
Australia get Walsh swinging down the left, he tries to fire a bullet to Shibasaki, Newman nearly intercepts it but drops it, it falls for Walsh and he ducks back inside to score!
A fortunate one and Walsh knows it – he grimaces as he goes back to his teammates – but they all count for the same and once Cleary converts it’s 24-8 Australia and England’s hopes are all but gone.
30m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:11pm
66′ England lose their challenge
Watkins loses the ball after a couple of offloads, looked to be a loose carry to me but England challenge out of desperation. They don’t get it.
31m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:11pm
Update
Still early but your Aus by 10 pts prediction is looking good…
– Mike
Feel like the Aussies could have a couple more in them yet Mike….
34m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 4:07pm
61′ Grant steals one for Australia
England give away a penalty on the last, Lewis grabs Grant’s arm from marker, it’s a real lapse of discipline.
Two tackles later Grant shows some real craft to totally deceive the England markers and dart over from close range. That’s Australia’s first chance in an age and they make the most of it – that’s the difference between these two sides, Australia make the most of what they’ve got.
England have had 36 tackles inside the Australian 20 and their only try came from 60 metres out. Says a lot.
Cleary converts and it’s 18-8 Australia.
42m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:59pm
55′ Tempers are fraying in Leeds
Australia are penalised in possession! They’ve pinged Walsh for being the third man in, he claims there was a knee to the head of Shibasaki.
I think it’s incidental, Burgess is the player in question, but the video ref is looking at it. They clear him and it’s England ball.
If they score here the atmosphere at Headingley might ignite, they are going wild.
Williams puts the kick in, looking for Burgess but he can’t nail it. Australia hang on.
46m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:55pm
53′ England build pressure but no points
Shibasaki claims a bomb near his own tryline, Pearce-Paul holds him up to allow Smithies and a few teammates to drive him back into the in-goal for the drop out.
Williams puts a kick in and Newman is after it but Addo-Carr takes it dead, and there’s a scuffle afterwards. Emotions are running high – no penalty, but things are heating up.
Litten goes short to McMeeken and he loses it in contact. That’s an anti-climax. There’s more flirting, Lewis and Munster are having a running battle at this point. Still no penalties, but Atkins gives the captains a warning to settle their teams down.
53m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:48pm
47′ England can’t capitalize
Collins loses it on his own 30 after some heavy contact from Smithies and Knowles. If England can score here the crowd will blow the roof off.
They create some space down the right but Williams throws a loose pass that goes over the sideline – only for Australia to make another error! This time it’s Nawaqanitawase, he’s having an unhappy day. Australia are opening the door……
57m agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:45pm
44′ Australia denied a try
We might have a stunner of an Australian try on our hands – Munster and Walsh combine with some rapid passing up the middle on the last, before Munster drops a perfect kick out to Addo-Carr.
But Atkins sends it up as a no try and there’s no angle that shows the winger as onside. England penalty.
1h agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:39pm
Second half is underway
Australia kick us off and we’ve 40 minutes to go in the series.
1h agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:38pm
Update
12/8 lead at half time is better than being behind but not the domination I was expecting – pop down to the rooms and have a word to them please Nick…
– Mike
I’ll fire up the private jet and get over to Leeds ASAP!
1h agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:22pm
Halftime: Australia 12 lead England 8
Grant throws a forward pass with just a couple of seconds left in the half, Farnworth takes a hit up off the scrum and it seems like a meek ending to the half only for Yeo to strip it out.
Australia challenge, they think the half was over, but that can’t be challenged. England take the two, Australia have lost their challenge and once Smith knocks it over it’s 12-8 Australia at the break.
1h agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:16pm
36′ Close shave for England
Cleary swings it wide on the last, Staggs kicks it back inside, Lewis is all at see and lets it bounce, Collins chases through and is claiming one.
We go to the video ref – I think they just manage to get Collins over the touch in-goal line, and the replay shows they did. A lucky escape.
1h agoSat 8 Nov 2025 at 3:12pm
32′ England are over for their first try!
England have scored and it’s a beauty! Litten cuts through from dummy half around halfway, sells Walsh a big dummy then he kicks as the chasers get on him and Williams follows through to score a terrific try.
That’s the best passage of play England have had all series. Smith converts and England have pulled it back to 12-6.
