An eye fracture and a baby daughter – Lees’ unusual Ashes

Matty Lees has taken the Rugby League Ashes more literally than most when it comes to infusing blood, sweat, and tears.

St Helens team-mate Alex Walmsley caught the England prop during the opening session of training at Wembley for the opening Test against Australia. What was initially believed to be a cut later turned out to be much more significant.

A metal plate was installed in his face after the 27-year-old had a broken eye socket and required emergency surgery.

Lees, who started the first two Tests, will likely feature when the first Ashes series since 2003 wraps up on Saturday at AMT Headingley with the third contest, which will begin at 14:30 GMT and will be broadcast live on BBC One.

England have so far in the series played at full pelt, but they haven’t taken any significant try-scoring chances and have had little to offer when the Kangaroos have not.

Lees acknowledges that England’s performances haven’t always been flawless, especially at Wembley, where their eagerly awaited first Ashes meeting in 22 years ended up being a damp squib in a flat environment.

He claims Leeds can take the improvements made in Liverpool, where they were level at Australia after a first-half dominance, with ease.

He claimed that the first Test was not without effort, but that our roles lacked clarity.

In the second match, we fixed that. We had a lot of fun, and it showed. We were competing there. Hopefully, that will provide some additional support.

After the second game, “we were hurting,” despite how well the team performed. In this third Test, we could do better. We now have something to enjoy.

Lees claims England will be motivated by the prospect of the upcoming World Cup in the region, as well as the desire to avoid a series whitewash and win a Test match against Australia since 1995.

Although Shaun Wane has faced criticism for his chances of leading England to that tournament, he responded by saying he couldn’t care less about the situation and was only interested in winning the final Test.

Lees, who won’t forget his previous encounter with Headingley in a hurry because it was his first pregnancy, has come to this series during a turbulent time.

At the end of September, Lees had to leave St Helens’ Super League play-off match against Leeds at half-time in order to make a commutation to the hospital, where his wife Beth had given birth to daughter Siena.

Lees said, “Having a little one recently changed my perspective; it’s not just about me anymore.”

I’ve only just accomplished it. She was delivered shortly after midnight. Driving from Leeds was stressful.

Beth has had to deal with some of the pressure while I’ve been in camp. She and the little one have spent time in the trenches. I nip back home whenever I have the chance. The off-season is upon us, and I’m anticipating it.

He and his wife had agreed to attend the game, but she was a week overdue, only to discover some significant details as the Yorkshire team arrived.

When it comes to Siena’s birth, Lees said, “Surely it won’t happen when a game has kicked off.” She said she was feeling fine, so I left for the game, and then she messaged me to inform me that she was going to the hospital to get checked.

Then, just as we arrived at Leeds’ ground, I received a message claiming to be keeping her inside.

“It was my way of thinking about playing the game and dealing with what came next.” I felt fine and the staff was aware of what was happening.

Wello [former St Helens coach Paul Wellens] was in the front then, and I played 30-plus minutes. He warned me that things had changed, and I would miss the birth if I didn’t leave right away.