Rugby league legend Andrew Johns, often referred to as ‘Joey’, has voiced his concerns about England’s competitiveness as they gear up for the opening Ashes Test at Wembley Stadium this weekend.

Johns, who is regarded as an Immortal in the sport, fears that the Australian team might secure a sweeping 3-0 victory. Despite his desire to see Kevin Walters’ side retain the Ashes, he underscores the significance of having a robust English team for the vitality of international rugby.

Earlier this week, Johns was busy coaching up-and-coming talent at the Warrington Wolves’ academy located in Sydney Olympic Park. He expressed his hopes for a fiercely contested Ashes series.

“This Ashes series holds tremendous importance for the sport in England. They are bound to play with physicality, but the question remains if they possess the finesse needed to secure victories,” Johns remarked.

He continued, “When you consider players like Reece Walsh, Cam Munster, Nathan Cleary, and Harry Grant, you’re looking at one of the finest spines the Australian team has ever had. It’s crucial for England to rise to the challenge and be more than just competitive.”

Rugby league great Andrew Johns offered some young Warrington players a few pointers in Sydney this week

Johns said the results of this year’s Ashes Tests are vital to the state of the game in England

Johns won two premierships at Newcastle in 1997 and 2001 in a decorated NRL career

In addition, Johns took the opportunity to refute any speculation regarding his interest in pursuing a head coaching role. This comes after his brother, Matthew Johns, a prominent figure on Fox League, previously suggested that Andrew would excel as an NRL coach.

The two-time premiership winner said he ‘wouldn’t do it to myself or my family.’

‘There’s no way I’d handle it. I didn’t handle it that well when I was playing. When things are out of your control (on game day), I have no interest,’ he said.

Johns, who enjoyed a short stint at Warrington in the Super League in 2005, explained the club reached out to him to give their younger players a few pointers.

His main focus was helping the halves with their posture while ball-playing.

Warrington’s next generation are in Australia on a tour and beat the Western Rams 50-10 last weekend in Penrith.

They will play two more games against a representative NSW team and a Gold Coast academy side, as well as have opposed sessions against junior teams from the Bulldogs and Dolphins.

It comes as former NRL prop Aaron Woods dished up a brutal swipe at England’s coach Shaun Wane ahead of the first Test, which kicks off on Sunday at 12.30am AEST.

Johns played 26 Tests for the Kangaroos from 1995 to 2006, alternating between hooker and halfback 

Andrew Johns also enjoyed a short stint with the Warrington Wolves in 2005 (pictured, against the Leeds Rhinos)

Woods, who played for the Kangaroos in 17 Tests between 2014 and 2018, bluntly refused any notion that England could beat Australia.

Wane was recently pictured delivering a rousing speech to his squad, in which he attempted to galvanise his team to victory, noting how long it’s been since his side claimed a series victory.

‘This is a chance and an opportunity you can’t miss,’ Wane said to his players.

‘The idea of this meeting is to make it absolutely crystal clear what you need to do, to make sure that you’re all in.

‘Can you imagine what it feels like to win the Ashes? It’s massive. It might never happen again in your playing career.’

In response to hearing the clip, Woods shot a brutal dig at Wane, appearing to claim his motivational talk was boring.

‘Can you wake me up?’ Woods replied bluntly on Triple M.

‘Are you kidding? You wonder why they haven’t won an Ashes in that long.’

Wane fired back: ‘I know that he’s paid to be controversial. I wouldn’t have thought he’d genuinely meant it. That’s up to him. I watched him play as well. He’s entitled to his view.

‘He’s played in the NRL and I’ve never done that. Fair play. It doesn’t really bother me what he says. I know I can motivate my England team and hopefully you see that on Saturday.’