Jez Litten is determined to get one over the Kangaroos this weekend.
Though the result of the Ashes series has already been decided, livewire hooker Jez Litten says England are determined to finish strongly in Leeds – in what he describes would be his “best win of the year.”
The 27-year-old was central to Hull KR ’s unprecedented success in 2025, claiming the League Leaders’ Shield, Challenge Cup and Super League title. His form earned him a deserved recall to the international stage under Shaun Wane, having previously won one cap in 2023 ahead of the Ashes.
He featured from the interchange bench at Wembley before receiving the starting number nine shirt in Liverpool, while the Kangaroos claimed results on both occasions to seal the series with a game to spare.
But for Litten, the motivation remains strong to finally get one over old enemies, with England having last beaten Australia 30 years ago.
“We’re disappointed that we’ve lost the series, but at the end of the day, we’ve got one more Test match against Australia, and it doesn’t get much bigger than that,” Litten said.
“It’s a massive opportunity for us to finish strong this week and get a win against a strong Australia side. The full focus is on that, and all the boys are motivated.
“It’s been a dream come true to represent my country. This is the best thing I’ve ever done, play in an Ashes series and be able to stand and sing that national anthem. It’s been my proudest moment.
“I’d love us to get that win this weekend and I think it’d be my best win of the year.”
The Kangaroos have now won the last 14 Ashes series, dating back to 1970 – when the series was contested by Great Britain.
Litten however insists the mood in camp ahead of the final Test in Leeds has been focussed, despite the disappointing results so far.
He continued: “Obviously after the second Test, the lads were disappointed because we’d just lost an Ashes series on home soil. But like I say, we’ve got an Ashes test to win on Saturday and all the boys are preparing well. And from the second game at Everton, we can take a few positives.
“We dominated large parts of the game, but you’ve got to be clinical against these top teams.
“You can’t switch off – otherwise you’ll get punished and that’s what happened to us.
“It was only slight margins, but they cost us in those games.”