England boss Shaun Wane relishing prospect of home Ashes series against world champions Australia in 2025

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England boss Shaun Wane admits it would be the ‘pinnacle’ of his coaching career to face world champions Australia in an Ashes series on home soil.
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It would be rugby league's first Ashes series in more than 20 years, while Australia have not played England on these shores since the 2016 Four Nations.

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Australia had been scheduled to tour in 2020, ahead of the 2021 World Cup, only for both to be made impossible by the Covid pandemic.

England coach Wane said: "I was brought up on Australia and New Zealand in the 70s and 80s and when it got cancelled I was absolutely devastated.

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"So to get this on again and for them to travel here is unbelievable. I'm so excited. I can't wait for it now."

When asked about the significance of a first Ashes series since the Kangaroos whitewashed Great Britain 3-0 in 2003, Wane said: "It's so important.

"I know New Zealand are a good team, they've beaten Australia in the last few years, but the NRL and Australian rugby league is the pinnacle.

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"They've played the best rugby over the last couple of decades and that for me, as a coach, is what I want to pit myself against.

"I've never done anything as big as that and that's why I took this job. For me personally, it would be the pinnacle of my career to have a chance of coaching against them."

Wane guided England to a 3-0 series whitewash over Tonga last year and his side beat 2022 World Cup finalists Samoa 34-18 in their first match in Wigan, with the second Test match on Saturday in Leeds.

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"We need to keep that momentum going with a really good calendar," Wane said.

"I thought Sunday was fantastic, a good atmosphere and it will be even better here (at Headingley) on Saturday.

"So if we can keep doing that, get the Ashes next year and then the World Cup (in 2026), I think we're on a great roll.

"Everybody recognises that a really good, stand-up international calendar is great for our sport."

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