Kate Middleton sends England Rugby League message in historic Ashes opener

The Princess of Wales has backed England's rugby league team before their landmark showdown at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Shaun Wane's squad will face Australia at 2.30pm in the first Ashes encounter for 22 years as the sport's most intense rivalry finally returns.

The rugby league Ashes hasn't been staged since 2003 and England will now have their opportunity to settle the score following their loss in Australia more than two decades ago, with the record crowd for an England rugby league international potentially under threat at Wembley.

It represents a momentous day for the team and they will be thrilled to have secured the endorsement of the Princess of Wales, who serves as Patron of the Rugby Football Union.

Taking to social media, Kate penned: "Wishing England the very best of luck in their first Rugby League Ashes campaign in 22 years. An exciting new chapter for the game begins at Wembley Stadium today. We are all behind you! C."

Kate has held the RFU patronage since 2022 and has embraced the position wholeheartedly, appearing at numerous fixtures whilst demonstrating genuine enthusiasm for both rugby formats.

She knows many of England's stars personally, having witnessed their Rugby League World Cup quarter-final battle against Papua New Guinea at the DW Stadium in Wigan during 2022.

The 43-year-old is fully immersed in rugby and the England-Australia rivalry, having attended the England women's rugby union side's semi-final clash against Australia at the Women's Rugby World Cup last month in Brighton.

She struck a pose wearing a cowboy hat alongside several team members, who subsequently claimed the championship by defeating Canada in the final following their comprehensive 47-7 demolition of Australia in the match she witnessed.

Saturday's encounter for England men's rugby league side will likely prove far more challenging, with Australia presenting a formidable obstacle.

The hosts are competing in London for the first time since their narrow 27-26 defeat to Samoa three years ago, and head coach Wane understands the magnitude of the task ahead.

"I have talked with the players [about late defeats]," he said in the build-up to the match. "No matter how close we come is irrelevant. I have spoken to the players about scenarios, and the importance of switching on for 80 minutes. We will show Australia respect, and make sure we are switched on right to the very end.

"We need 17 players to have their best game, that is the level of quality in the Australian team. We have players who can do that. They know how good they must be. It will take an almighty performance, but we are doing everything we can."

The Ashes comprise a three-match series, beginning with the opener at Wembley before moving to a second fixture at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on November 1 and concluding at Headingley on November 8.