New look Widnes finalise 2026 preparations in derby clash
Allan Coleman’s team visit Cheshire rivals Warrington in their first and last pre season friendly as they prepare for a round one Championship clash away to competition favourites London Broncos.
It has been a busy off season for Widnes following the club rebranding its crest back to its more recognisable Viking head.
Meanwhile on the field, Coleman has made 10 new permanent signings refreshing his squad.
Former Vikings players Jay Chapelhow, Sam Wilde and Jack Houghton return to the club, alongside Jack Bibby who appeared for Widnes on loan back in 2025.
Nathan Connell, Kieron Taylor and Toby Hughes will all be in contention to make their Vikings debut against Warrington.
Deacon Connolly will also be looking to impress following a successful trial period with the club.
All four players arrive with little Championship experience meaning an impressive performance against the Wolves is a must if they are to force themselves into contention for round one Championship action.
The highest profile player that arrived at Widnes in the off season is former Man Of Steel nominee Jordan Abdull. After spending a year out of the game, the classy Half-back links up with Widnes in hope to kick start his career once more.
Despite fitness and historical injury concerns, he is no doubt the man to watch with an eagle eye throughout 2026.
A player with a proven running game and a varied kicking game at the highest level is on paper exactly what the Vikings needed to recruit to try and transform their 2025 blunt attack.
Widnes Injury update
Former Warrington reserves top try scorer Frank Sergent is expected to be side lined for 6 weeks after sustaining a lower leg injury.
The young speedster was praised in a recent interview by general manager Tim Holmes for the impact he has made in pre season.
Danny Langtree will miss the action with the club taking a cautious approach managing his return from injury, whilst Tom Gilmore and Adam Lawton are still recovering from off season operations.
Morgan McWhirter is the last player left out of the match day squad. The Australian was allowed to return home during the festive period and will land back in the UK next week ready for action against London Broncos.
How Warrington Shape up
The Wolves enter 2026 needing a fast start to the season, with head coach Sam Burgess being the most under pressure Super League coach after the 2025 campaign.
The former England and NRL star was fortunate to remain in the coaching hot seat following a bitterly disappointing 8th placed finish, only picking up 10 league wins all season.
A strong team is expected to be named by Burgess. England captain George Williams is expected to be absent from the squad, whilst overseas signing Toafofoa Sipley is serving a suspension carried over from his time at Manly.
New signing Kelepi Tanginoa is set to make his first start for the club, whilst Liam Byrne will also look to make a strong impact after making the move from Wigan.
The former Wigan man Byrne, feels like a crucial signing for Burgess with the Wolves in desperate need of aggression and a pack leader in their ranks.
Still only 26, the Front-rower still has his best years ahead of him and could fill that gap for Warrington with his no nonsense style of play.
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