Widnes travel to Bower Fold in search of a third Championship victory of the season as Coleman faces selection conundrum
The Vikings once more are back on the road, this time a short trip up the M62 to local rivals Oldham. The game has all the ingredients to be a classic with both teams expectant of a top four finish.
Last time out Widnes stumbled to a 22-10 victory away at Workington Town. The Vikings forward pack and defence never looked in danger of losing the game, however ball in hand looked clunky and conservative for large periods.
Widnes head coach Allan Coleman welcomes Joe Edge and Jumah Sambou back to full fitness giving the Vikings chief a selection headache in the outside backs.
Last week Matt Fleming had his best game at Centre in quite some time, producing two tries, one of which was a kick and chase to himself creating an opportunity out of nothing. Fleming also added an assist to his name making it a real harsh call if he loses his place in the team to either Joe Edge or Jumah Sambou.
There is a possibility Jack Owens could lose his position in the team, given he had a quiet afternoon last time out. If that’s the option Coleman selects, it will be a brave move by the Widnes coach dropping his captain.
Ryan Ince is returning to his form of old and Mike Butt has been solid throughout the early stages of the season.
With quality in Jumah Sambou and Joe Edge returning it will be intriguing how the Vikings will line up in the outside backs.
Half-back headache
Last time out saw the combination of Jordan Abdull and Tom Gilmore take to the field for the first time. It is early days in the duo’s partnership but at times the attack looked conservative with little running threat.
Both players look natural first receivers playing together and perhaps are too similar. Only time will tell if they can develop their on field combination.
Joe Lyons has faced early season criticism for his effectiveness ball in hand, however possesses a short burst of pace Abdull and Gilmore don’t.
With the Vikings early season results, it will be interesting if head coach Allan Coleman will return to his start of the season combination.
Jack Owens could be in with an outside shot of playing Stand-off rewarding Matt Fleming’s form and including Joe Edge back in the starting line up.
This could be the compromise fitting Owens into the team alongside Edge and Fleming.
Rivalry
The narratives are plenty between the two teams on and off the field.
The Chapelhow twins will face off against each other for the first time in their career, whilst Adam Lawton will feature against his former club for the first time since his departure.
Oldham also have Kieran Dixon, Owen Farnworth and Ryan Lannon in their ranks who are also former Vikings.
The latter Lannon left the club under a dark cloud and failed to arrive at training. Only days later Ryan appeared in an Oldham jersey announcing he had signed for club.
Head coach Allan Kilshaw was at the centre of controversy two seasons ago when he last coached against Widnes. In a game back in 2024 between Swinton and Widnes, images appeared online of nooses around Widnes players Neck’s appearing to be used as a motivational tool for his team.
The images surfaced post match and on the day Widnes was forced to activate their 18th man due to an abundance of injuries sustained, including season ending ones to Danny Langtree and Nick Gregson.
The controversy sparked a debate the week after the game whether Widnes players had been deliberately targeted by the Swinton camp, and intentionally injured and as a result removed from the field.
Oldham as recent as Thursday night appointed former Widnes head coach and player Simon Finnigan as assistant coach. Finnigan took over Widnes in the covid era taking over the reigns from Tim Sheens.
One to watch (Cole Geyer)
The Australian Hooker made the move to Oldham from Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears ahead of the 2026 Championship season. He is the son of former NRL star Matt Geyer.
He is a dynamic Hooker who likes jumping out from behind the ruck targeting retreating defenders close to the line. He has great vision and will be a threat in the middle of the pitch for Oldham.
His battle with Jordan Johnstone and Matty Fozard will be an intriguing one, who both are amongst the best Hooker’s in the competition.
Both Matty and Jordan will have their hands full with Cole and the Vikings control of the ruck will be crucial if they are to nullify his threat.
