Roosters enforcer Victor Radley, who recently feared his season was over due to a shoulder injury, has been named in Shaun Wane’s England squad ahead of the upcoming Tests against Samoa in Wigan and Leeds. Radley’s inclusion is a testament to his resilience, having fractured his left scapula during a Round 26 match against Canberra, with his miraculous return during the finals raising eyebrows across the rugby league community.
The England squad, now trimmed to 24 players, showcases a blend of NRL and Super League talent, with Radley being one of seven NRL stars selected. Joining him are club-mate Dominic Young, Newcastle’s Kai Pearce-Paul, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, Canberra’s Morgan Smithies, and two players who will be moving back to Super League after stints in the NRL—Tom Burgess and John Bateman. Burgess, who has spent 12 seasons with South Sydney, is set to return to Huddersfield, while Bateman makes his way back to the Wests Tigers after a guest appearance with Warrington.
Ben Gardiner, coach of Toa Samoa, noted the strength of the England squad, which features a mix of fresh talent from the Super League grand final. He stated, “It’s a very strong squad. We’ve just had our staff put together a bit of a possible starting team list, and yeah, it’s a very strong mix of Super League and NRL talent.”
Wane’s selection process saw some notable absences, with Wigan centre Jake Wardle ruled out due to a knee injury and 2018 Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson excused for personal reasons. The squad also sees potential debutants in Super League’s Young Player of the Year, Junior Nsemba, and the competition’s top try scorer, Liam Marshall, both of Wigan.
In their last outing, England triumphed over France with a convincing 40-8 victory at Toulouse’s Stade Ernest Wallon on June 29. However, the squad is missing several key players, including wingers Tom Johnson and Ash Handley, centre Sam Wood, hooker Brad O’Neill, and back rowers Matty Nicholson and Elliott Minchella.
The Samoan team, which gathers in Sydney before their flight to the UK, will also feature some unavailable players like Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu, who have been invited to show their support for the squad
As the England and Samoa teams prepare to clash, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an exhilarating series. Radley’s return adds an exciting dynamic to the England squad, as they aim to bounce back from their disappointing exit at the hands of Samoa in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. With such a strong mix of talent, both teams are set to put on a thrilling display of rugby league action.
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