Harry Wilson grew up dreaming of playing on the Sydney Cricket Ground wearing a baggy green, on Saturday night he will run out wearing Wallaby gold instead.
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The Queensland backrower will start against England at the famous venue and with the Test series locked at one win apiece, the victor will collect the new Ella-Mobbs trophy.
It may not be the Ashes he dreamed of as a schoolboy, who in 2017 smashed 100 runs off 35 balls in the fastest recorded QLD GPS 1st XI century, but he will take it.
"I can't wait, obviously being a cricket tragic growing up and watching the Ashes every four years, it's certainly one of the biggest rivalries in sport," said the 22-year-old who has been touted as a future Wallabies captain.
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"To be able to play in the rugby version of it is really cool and I can't wait.
"I hope we can use the cricket change rooms, but I'm not sure it'll be big enough for us."
Despite being a regular starter in his 10 Tests since making his 2020 debut and known for his work-rate, powerful running game and skilful offload ability, Wilson was left out of the Wallabies squad for their UK tour late last year.
He said he embraced coach Dave Rennie's feedback and after putting it into practice at Wallabies training for the past month, hoped to do some damage against the old foe.
"I was disappointed not to go but I also saw Dave's plan and knowing he just wanted me to improve as a footballer," Wilson said.
"My main feedback there (from Dave) was trying to work on some things like my late footwork and trying to isolate defenders more rather than, I guess, running into a few people.
"I've been working on that and I'm definitely not the finished product, but I've been adapting my game and I'll be trying to show that on Saturday night."
He will play at blindside flanker with Rob Leota, who has started the past two Tests, shifting to the bench to cover both backrow and lock positions.
While he's usually anchoring the Queensland scrum from No.8, Wilson felt his role wouldn't change too much in his first match of the series.
"I find six and eight are similar positions but I guess for me at six it's a bit more focused on set piece with my lineout and maul roles," he said.
"I've worked on them for a long time so I'm looking forward to enacting them."
Australian Associated Press
