League or Union? Kangaroos or Wallabies? Liverpool or Twickenham?...
Rugby lovers are set to be handed an unprecedented 'decisions, decisions' moment when Australia face England in two mouth-watering Ashes duels in the different codes 275km apart at the very same time this November.
The confirmation of the Kangaroos itinerary to England in October and November in the first three-Test rugby league 'Ashes' series since 2003 has brought delight in both countries that one of the great rivalries in world sport is being rekindled after 22 years.
But there'll be disappointment that the second of the three Tests will be played at Everton's new soccer stadium at the same time the Wallabies are duelling England at Twickenham in a fixture given fresh impetus last year when Australia won one of the greatest matches between the old foes.
England - or Great Britain, most often in the past in League's case - have been playing Australia in both codes for more than a century, with tours and matches often taking place around the same time of year.
Indeed, the first rugby league Test between the old rivals took place in Huddersfield in January 1909, with England winning 14-9, only a week before Australia's 15-a-side pioneers - dubbed the Rabbits by their hosts until the visitors decided Wallabies was more fitting - won the first Union Test 9-3 in Blackheath, London.
But never in 116 years of Anglo-Australian rugby duels have the clashes been played at the same time, with the second League Test kicking off at Everton at 2.30pm on November 1 (1.30am, November 2, AEDT) while the Wallabies kick off at Twickenham at 3.10pm (2.10am, November 2, AEDT).
It's an unfortunate clash for any late-night viewers in Australia.
The Kangaroos' once-in-a-generation trip could take precedence for armchair watchers because of its rarity value, but the Wallabies' last-gasp 42-37 triumph at Twickenham was unmissable theatre last November and should be again following on from the Lions' tour of Australia.
England haven't met Australia in any rugby league international since the World Cup final in 2017, won by Cameron Smith's Kangaroos 6-0, and the hosts will be itching for a crack at breaking a 13-series drought stretching back to 1970 when they tackle the world champions at Wembley (25 October), Everton (1 November) and Leeds (8 November) on successive Saturdays.
Australia coach Mal Meninga, who went on a record four successful Kangaroos' tours to Britain in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994, can't wait, describing the Ashes series as "the ultimate" in the international game.
“We love the history, but we haven’t had a chance to play England since 2017 and from an Ashes point of view we haven’t played since 2003," added Meninga, saying he planned to stick largely with the players who took 2024 Pacific Cup honours under Isaah Yeo.
"To be able to play at Wembley, at the new stadium in Everton - where no other team has been before - and then going back to the tradition of Headingley, that is exciting.
“We also want to make a statement leading into the World Cup in 2026, so it is an important part of the journey for us.”
