Greatest Rugby League Ashes moments

Initially a contest between Great Britain and Australia, the Ashes rugby league series dates all the way back to 1908.

Now to be contested between England and Australia following the announcement of its revival in 2023, there's plenty of anticipation regarding the upcoming series.

Here's a look back at some of the great Ashes moments between Great Britain and Australia in some titanic battles over the decades.

Australia 33-2 Great Britain - 21st July 1963, Sydney Cricket Ground

A game that in the following decades has become known as the "Swinton Massacre", this Test was a defining moment in not just this Ashes Series back in 1963 but the evolution of Test match rugby league.

A confident Great Britain outfit arrived on Australian soil as defending Ashes champions, but the Kangaroos produced one of their most complete performances in history.

Led by captain Arthur Summons, who was also coaching the side, Australia completely outclassed their opponents.

Reg Gasnier produced one of the great individual performances, with the St George Dragons centre scoring a hat-trick to help the Kangaroos secure a dominant victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The 33-2 victory not only clinched the Ashes for the Aussies for the first time in nine years, but also signalled a changing of the guard.

From this point onward, Australia became the dominant force in world rugby league and have gone on to win 16 of the 17 Ashes Series that have happened since.

Great Britain 14-6 Australia - 6th November 1970, Sydney Cricket Ground

1970 was the last time Great Britain would win an Ashes series and they did manage to do it in style, on Australian soil.

Under the leadership of skipper Frank Myler, who played over 360 games for his hometown club of Widnes, the Lions stunned the home crowd at the SCG with their relentless defense to triumph 14-6 in New South Wales.

The likes of Roger Millward, Cliff Watson and Mal Reilly all produced outstanding performances in the game and the victory sealed a 2-1 series win and remains one of the most cherished achievements in British rugby league history.

Australia 15-14 Great Britain - 20th November 1992, Elland Road

Jumping forward to the early 90s, one of the greatest and most nerve-wracking Ashes deciders ever played occurred at the home of Leeds United.

In front of over 31,000 fans at Elland Road, Great Britain were minutes away from a famous victory, leading 14-10 deep into the second half.

However, the Australians, led by captain Mal Meninga, refused to give in and a late penalty goal from Meninga after a high tackle tied the match at 14-14.

With just minutes remaining, Meninga’s coolly struck field goal put the Kangaroos ahead and broke Lions' hearts in Leeds.

A Test match that had all the drama one could wish for and a moment of individual class from match-winner Meninga, the clash at Elland Road in '92 is still remembered as one of the greatest Ashes clashes of all-time.

Great Britain 23-12 Australia - 11th November 2001, McAlpine Stadium

Leaping forward again to 2001, following years of Australian dominance, Great Britain produced a performance in the second Test of the 2001 series that is worthy of remembrance.

Led by the inspirational skipper Andy Farrell, who coached the British & Irish Lions rugby union side to a series win Down Under last summer, GB produced a superb display in Huddersfield to level the series 1-1.

St Helens stars Sean Long and Paul Sculthorpe shone on the day and the victory in West Yorkshire sparked hope the Ashes title could finally be on its way back into British hands.

While Australia went on to win the decider in Wigan, this victory, at what was then known as McAlpine Stadium, remains one of the most memorable British Test triumphs of the modern era.

It might well be watched back by the current crop of Lions players as inspiration for the highly anticipated series to come.