Australian Rugby League officials have decided to put their 36-year domination over England and Great Britain for the sport's Ashes on the line in a one-off game next month.

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr has confirmed that Australia and England will play one-off matches for the 101-year-old title over the next three seasons, beginning on October 31 in Wigan during the Four Nations series. The system will then be reviewed.

The trophy is normally contested over a three-match series and former Australian captains were divided over an English proposal that it be handed to the winner of a one-off game.

"We decided that we will put the trophy on the line in that game at the end of next month," Carr told AAP.

"There was some suggestion that it be decided based on however many games we play in a given season but we can't say for sure that England or Australia would make a Four Nations final.

"So it's going to be one game per year for the next three years."

The Ashes trophy is currently on display at the National Museum in Canberra and will be transported to Britain for the Four Nations, which kicks off on October 23.

Series between Australia and England, the Northern Union or Great Britain have been known as the Ashes since 1908. But there are no such series planned until after the 2013 World Cup, with Australia to have 2012 off at the request of players.

Britain won the trophy in Australia in 1970, the green and golds regained it in the UK during 1973 and have held it ever since.

Current Australian captain Darren Lockyer and predecessors Laurie Daley, Arthur Beetson, John Raper and Bob McCarthy have said they are opposed to the title being decided in one match.

But Brad Fittler, Max Krilich and Gorden Tallis had no problem with the idea, first raised publicly by England skipper Jamie Peacock at the beginning of last week.

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