Victor Radley Withdraws from Ashes Series

England's Victor Radley RULED OUT of Ashes Series

The Ashes series is just around the corner. England's Victor Radley won't feature in the upcoming Ashes series due to a club ban.

“Victor has been an outstanding player for England for the last three years, but we respect his decision...” 

England forward Victor Radley has withdrawn from the upcoming Ashes rugby league series against Australia due to a 10-game ban imposed by his club, the Sydney Roosters. Radley was penalized for his involvement in a drug probe related to a former teammate, which led to the ban and a requirement to donate $30,000 to a hospital for bringing the club into disrepute by allegedly obtaining an illegal substance.

Key Details of the Ban:

• Ban Duration: 10 games
• Donation: $30,000 to a hospital
• Reason: Alleged involvement in a drug probe and obtaining an illegal substance

Radley's absence will be a significant blow to England's team, and coach Shaun Wane has expressed respect for Radley's decision to prioritize his situation. Wane emphasized the need for players who are fully focused on the series, stating, “Victor has been an outstanding player for England for the last three years, but we respect his decision.” Morgan Knowles is likely to start at 13 in Radley's place.

Roosters star Victor Radley has finally broken his silence on the scandalous drug text message saga, lamenting how he ‘learns things the hard way.'

FULL STORY HERE ➡️ https://t.co/QiBvZAIznU pic.twitter.com/xORJGgWPiJ

— CODE NRL (@codenrl) September 23, 2025

The Ashes series, set to begin on October 25 at Wembley, will feature three tests between England and Australia. Australia coach Kevin Walters will announce his squad after the National Rugby League final on October 5, while Wane will reveal his 24-man squad 10 days later.

Briton Nikora, the Australia-born lock, has accepted a sanction and apologized for his actions. Although he wasn't charged by the police, he's still faced repercussions in the rugby world. Nikora remains eligible to play for Shaun Wane's England squad. However, Wane revealed that the 27-year-old has chosen to stand himself down from the upcoming three-test series against Australia.

Nikora's International Career

Nikora has played nine times for England since switching allegiance from Australia, where he was born, to represent his father's birth country. This change has brought him to the England squad under Shaun Wane's leadership.

Upcoming Test Series

The England vs Australia test series is set to kick off on October 25 at Wembley, marking a significant event in the cricket calendar. However, given the context, it seems there might be some confusion, and the series might actually refer to a different sport or schedule, such as the Ashes series scheduled for later in the year.

“Victor has been an outstanding player for England for the last three years, but we respect his decision,” Wane said in a statement.

“We need 24 players who are fully focused on the historic opportunity of facing Australia in an Ashes series.”

The loss of Victor Radley, a top-class back-rower, will undoubtedly be a significant blow to England's coach Shaun Wane ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes series against Australia. This series marks a historic moment, as it's the first time in 22 years that the two nations will compete for the Rugby League Ashes. The rivalry between England and Australia has a rich history, dating back to 1908, with the two teams having contested 39 matches, and Australia dominating the last 13 editions.

The Ashes Series 2025

The upcoming series consists of three test matches, scheduled to take place on consecutive Saturdays:

• October 25: England vs Australia at Wembley Stadium
• November 1: England vs Australia at the new Everton Stadium
• November 8: England vs Australia at AMT Headingley in Leeds

Radley's withdrawal creates a significant void in England's lineup, particularly given his impressive performances for the team. England coach Shaun Wane has expressed respect for Radley's decision, emphasizing the need for players who are fully focused on the series. With Radley's absence, England will likely look to Morgan Knowles to start at 13. The series promises to be an exciting contest between two fierce rivals, with Australia's Kangaroos team, led by coach Kevin Walters, looking to continue their dominance.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has pledged his allegiance to the Australian Kangaroos for the upcoming Ashes series against England, providing a significant boost to the team. The Gold Coast Titans forward cited “unfinished business” as his motivation for choosing Australia, driven by a desire to avenge the team's 30-0 loss to New Zealand in the 2023 Pacific Cup final. Fa'asuamaleaui's decision comes after considering representing Samoa, his father's birth country, in the Pacific Championships. He hasn't ruled out playing for Samoa in the 2025 World Cup, however, showcasing his pride in both his Australian and Samoan heritage.

Key Highlights of Fa'asuamaleaui's Decision:

• Motivation: Unfinished business with Australia after the 2023 Pacific Cup loss
• Heritage: Proud of both Australian and Samoan roots

• Future Plans: May represent Samoa in the 2025 World Cup

• Ashes Series: Excited to be part of the historic tour in England

Fa'asuamaleaui's commitment strengthens the Kangaroos' forward pack, led by coach Kevin Walters, ahead of the three-Test series against England. The matches are scheduled for October 25 at Wembley Stadium, November 1 at the new Everton Stadium, and November 8 at Headingley.

“To be a part of the Ashes tour over in England, the first time in a long time, it is a bit of history, and it is something that I really want to be a part of,” the 25-year-old lock said in a social media post.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, born in New South Wales, initially represented Samoa, following in his father's footsteps who played rugby union for the nation. However, he later switched allegiance to Australia. Rugby league's flexible eligibility rules have enabled several high-profile players to change their international allegiance in recent years. Notably, Australian internationals Payne Haas, Jeremiah Nanai, and Murray Taulagi have pledged their allegiance to Samoa.

Major Developments in Rugby League

Ashes Series: The Australia vs England Ashes series is set to kick off on October 25 at Wembley Stadium, with the final match scheduled for November 8 at Headingley.

Squad Announcements: Australia coach Kevin Walters will reveal his squad after the NRL final on October 5, while England coach Shaun Wane will announce his 24-man squad 10 days later.

Pacific Championships: Samoa's Pacific Championships campaign is underway, with their match against Tonga at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 featuring star prop Payne Haas, who recently switched allegiance from Australia.

The flexibility in rugby league's eligibility rules allows players to represent their heritage nations, fostering a sense of cultural identity and community. This shift has reshaped the landscape of international rugby league, with Pacific nations like Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji benefiting from players proudly embracing their roots.