Radley is ready for the Ashes. But a late-season Roosters surge comes first

Victor Radley plans to be singing God Save the King “loud and proud” - potentially alongside Sydney Roosters teammate Billy Smith - in what shapes as a momentous Test series in October and November.

But all that has been parked in the back of his mind so that he can focus on a more immediate priority, beating Parramatta at CommBank Stadium on Saturday to extend the Roosters’ winning streak to four games and consolidate their top-eight standing.

After wins against Manly, the Dolphins and Canterbury, the Roosters are eighth on the ladder, with three rounds to play.

Recent form suggests they could do some damage from the bottom half of the top eight, provided they make it. Fixtures against Parramatta, Melbourne (away) and South Sydney (home) close out their home and away season.

While the Roosters have won their past four games against the Eels, Radley won’t underestimate any team that contains NSW and Kangaroos playmaker Mitchell Moses.

“I’ve been watching Parramatta,” he said. “They’re a strong side. It’s going to be a tough game this week ... we’ve got to be up for it this week because I know they will be.”

Radley said “confidence was building” that the Roosters could do something special this season, but added: “We just have to make sure we’re nailing each and every day. Our mindset every day can’t change.”

Come season’s end, the 27-year-old back-rower appears a certain selection when England coach Shaun Wane names his squad for the first Ashes series against Australia in 22 years.

He now looks likely to be joined by Smith, who, like Radley, was born and bred in Sydney but has English parentage and has declared himself available to represent the Lions.

“It’s awesome,” Radley said of Smith’s decision.

“I know about his parents being English, so I didn’t want to bring it up with him too much ... I didn’t really want to bombard him with it. When he told me, I was stoked.

“I thought, ‘yeah, world-class centre’. He’s been one of the best centres all year, so I’m stoked.”

Smith confirmed he had spoken to Wane about representing England but, like Radley, insisted his priority was to help the Roosters finish 2025 strongly.

“The belief is there,” he said. “But in saying that, we haven’t really achieved anything at the minute.

“We’ve still got three tough games to go, starting this week with Parramatta, and that’s where our focus will be at.

“But there is a strong feeling in the group. We’re really confident in the style of footy we want to play, so now it’s about going and doing it.”

The 25-year-old centre said playing in an Ashes series would be the highlight of a career that is finally starting to bloom after being interrupted by three knee reconstructions.

“I think it’s the pinnacle of rugby league to be completely honest with you,” he said. “It’d be awesome to get selected.”

Radley has appeared in nine Tests for England, winning eight of them, but is yet to line up against the Kangaroos.

He said he always sings God Save the King “loud and proud” and would not feel conflicted when the Australian anthem is played.

“I love this country,” he said. “I grew up here. Australia’s my home. I’m not going to pretend that I’m completely English.

“Australia’s my home. I grew up at Bronte Beach, so I love this country. I love Australia.

“That [English] anthem means something to me as well, and my family … when I’m playing for England, I’ll be singing God Save the King and be proud there. But Australia’s my home. I love this country, and that’s never, ever going to change.”

He said he would relish the challenge of helping England try to win a series against Australia for the first time since 1970.

“I know how important this Ashes series will be for England,” he said. “So if I get lucky enough to get chosen in the squad, I’m not going to leave any stone unturned.

“It’s probably the biggest challenge so far in my international career. So I look forward to it. I’m really disappointed in that [2022] World Cup year when we didn’t get the chance to play in the final, when Samoa beat us in extra time.”

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