Radley withdraws from England's Ashes series amid cocaine scandal fallout

Victor Radley has informed England coach Shaun Wane that he will be unavailable for selection in the upcoming Ashes series against Australia. The Roosters forward's decision comes amid the fallout from his unwitting involvement in a cocaine scandal involving former teammate Brandon Smith, a saga that has already cost Radley about $200,000 and prompted the postponement of his 2026 wedding. Radley has also been handed a 10-game ban by the Sydney Roosters for bringing the game into disrepute and has pledged to donate $30,000 to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. He will not be paid during his time sidelined next season, and the NRL is expected to hand down its own sanctions in the wake of the case.

Court documents connected to Smiths case reference text messages investigators say show Smith unlawfully supplied cocaine to Radley at Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland on June 7. Radley has not faced charges, and the Daily Mail coverage does not imply guilt on his part. England coach Shaun Wane had been preparing to select Radley for the three game series, but with the new developments the squad will be built around a pool of 24 players who can focus on the Ashes.

Radley has expressed remorse, telling News Corp that he was embarrassed and acknowledged that his actions had let down his partner Taylah, his family and the Roosters. He said his fiancée has been the rock for him, standing by him even as she prepared for motherhood. The Roosters disciplinary decision and the broader fallout underscore the potential for further sanctions from the NRL and the wider sport to follow.

The Roosters discipline comes as the NRL is expected to announce its own penalties in due course. Smith, who has since moved to South Sydney, appeared in court on the Gold Coast and faces allegations connected to drug supply and disclosing inside information for betting. While Radley remains a central figure in England’s selection plans, the episode has forced a rethink of how the squad will approach a historic Ashes challenge against Australia.

England’s decision to proceed without Radley will heighten scrutiny of Wane’s squad options as the team prepares for the Ashes series. Officials emphasize the need for a stable, focused group as England aims for a historic result against its arch rival. The series is slated to begin later this year, and the English camp is navigating the dual pressures of high expectations and the ongoing legal and personal fallout surrounding Radley and Smith.