Former Mayfield players Matty Ashton and Matty Lees named in England squad

Former Mayfield players Matty Ashton and Matty Lees have both been named in the 20-strong England squad for Saturday's (18 June) mid-season international against the Combined Nations All Stars in Warrington.

Warrington Wolves’ Matty Ashton has progressed through the England talent pathway to be included in the senior squad for the first time.

Ashton, 23, who plays as a fullback for Warrington Wolves, played junior rugby at Mayfield under the tutelage of Dean Hartley and Marvin Connolly up to under 16 level. A student at Hopwood Hall College, he studied in the rugby academy and was trained by Matt Calland (now Rochdale Hornets’ head coach) at under 18s level before making his debut in the Mayfield open age side.

After two seasons with the Mayfield NCL side, Ashton decided to try his luck in Australia and had a successful season with the Mullumbimby Giants team in New South Wales before returning to the UK.

Ashton joined Super League team Warrington Wolves at the start of the 2020 season after a spell at Swinton Lions RLFC, during which he was named Betfred Championship Young Player of the Year.

The Warrington flyer is one of five Wolves players chosen, with head coach Shaun Wane drawing upon nine of the Betfred Super League’s 12 clubs in his selection.

 

 

St Helens prop Matty Lees – also a Mayfield junior graduate – made his first team debut at Wakefield in 2017, joining St Helens the following year.

Lees, 24, was named Super League’s Young Player of the Year and also took away the same award at the Saints Awards Dinner.

England head coach Shaun Wane said: “I’ve every confidence in every player selected.

“Some need no introduction and have earned a recall, others are new to the squad and are also in on merit.

“They all have the ability to perform at this level and this is their chance to show myself and England supporters what they can do.”