Star banned from State of Origin set for Test debut against Reece Walsh and Kangaroos

AJ Brimson is set to make his Test debut for England on Saturday night after being retained in the 19-player squad to take on the Kangaroos in the first Ashes Test. Banned from ever playing State of Origin again due to his international switch, the Gold Coast Titans star could oppose Kangaroos superstar Reece Walsh in the England fullback role.

Rather than name their final 17, England have gone with a 19-player squad in alphabetical order, keeping Kevin Walters and Australia guessing. George Williams appears likely to be partnered in the halves by Mikey Lewis, who starred for Hull KR in the Super League grand final.

Jack Welsby could get the starting fullback role over Brimson, but Brimson would likely be the No.14 on the bench if that was the case. Brimson is one of five NRL players named in Shaun Wane's trimmed 19-player squad, along with Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, Knights winger Dom Young, Wests Tigers recruit Kai Pearce-Paul, and Cowboys second-rower John Bateman.

Canberra Raiders forward Morgan Smithies has been left out, with Wane preferring Dolphins-bound lock Morgan Knowles. For Brimson, his inclusion and likely Test debut is vindication for his call to switch allegiances for Australia.

AJ Brimson's decision to turn back on Origin vindicated

The 27-year-old has played four State of Origin games for Queensland across his career, and helped the Maroons win the series in 2023. But his decision to switch to England means he's banned from playing Origin again because the Poms are a Tier-1 nation (along with Australia and New Zealand).

Players who represent Pacific nations like Samoa or Tonga are still eligible for Origin because they're deemed Tier-2 nations. Brimson's father is Australian and mother is English, and he's hoping to do her proud on Saturday night.

"It’s very, very exciting for me and my family to play for England, especially at Wembley. Mum’s obviously very happy, her family’s very happy," he told The Sun. “I’ve always loved England and the England jersey, even the football one, too. It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do.

“Dad’s probably the reason I started playing rugby league, but mum stepped in as the full-time rugby parent (when he passed away). Growing up watching rugby union games, football games, rugby league games and cricket, she’d always be going for England and my dad would be going for Australia. Which country did I go for? England."

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Rule change that allowed AJ Brimson to switch to England

Brimson had previously been bound to represent Australia at international level because he played on the Aussie team at the Rugby League World Cup 9s event in 2019. But the International Rugby League (IRL) ruled back in May that the World Cup 9s is no longer relevant because it's effectively been discontinued, and was "unfairly" restricting players from featuring at Test level.

Brimson applied to switch his allegiance to England, and the IRL approved. He was little hope of playing for Australia, but there was still a slim chance he could represent Queensland in State of Origin again. But he doesn't regret the switch.

"I am obviously a very proud Queenslander. I grew up in Brisbane and my dream was to play Origin but I also grew up with a mum and family from England," he said in June. "I always thought it would be great if I could get the chance to represent both sides of the family because I am very proud of my English heritage as well."

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