The 2026 squad looks almost complete, here are 3 topics worth debating ahead of the new season
Pre season is well underway for the majority of Allan Colemans men, as they begin preparations for the new look Championship season.
Clubs are likely to contest 12 home games and 12 away games in the regular season before the top 10 teams split off and form the play-offs.
It is expected that the Vikings will play last years remaining Championship teams with the only exclusion being Batley Bulldogs. In addition Widnes are expected to take on Salford Red Devils, North Wales Crusaders, Workington Town and Dewsbury Rams making up their fixture list.
The Vikings are tasked with a rather tough list of games in comparison to other teams, with fixture difficulty being determined on your teams league ranking from the 2025 season.
With a play-off finish being a non negotiable for the Vikings here are 3 talking points ahead of the new season.
Wing spot up for grabs?
Widnes found points difficult to come by in the 2025 season finishing the 4th lowest scorers in the Championship. Welsh Winger Rhys Williams was the top try scorer in 2025 with 12 tries, however has departed the club at the seasons end to step into retirement.
The 2024 top try scorer Ryan Ince spent the majority of last season side lined and his scoring power was sorely missed.
Only two other backs made the top 5 try scorers list last season with Matt Fleming finishing on 8 tries and Mike Butt on 7.
There is no doubt to climb higher in the table the Wingers for the Vikings need to be more clinical ball in hand in order to punish teams when on top in games.
To compete at the top of the division more is needed than just a high work ethic. Quality and clinical finishing puts points on the score board and ultimately in Rugby League points are pressure.
The addition of Nathan Connell and Frank Sergent will apply pressure on both Mike Butt and Ryan Ince.
Sergent finished Warrington reserves top try scorer leading them to a Grand Final, whilst Connell was exposed to a full season of Super League last term.
Both players will be quietly confident they have what it takes to force their way into Allan Colemans starting team. There is certainly an opportunity for both players to impress and snatch a starting position as the season progresses.
Abdull’s influence
Without doubt the most eye catching signing Allan Coleman has made through the off season is former Man Of Steel nominee and England international Jordan Abdull.
On paper the signing sent shock waves through the championship, with many questioning how Widnes financed the deal, however beneath the surface lies many questions yet to be answered.
The quality of Jordan’s playing ability has never been in doubt, however having spent over 12 months absent from the sport, fitness levels have to be a serious concern for Widnes.
A player with such high pedigree will be experiencing life as a part time Rugby player for the first time. Many talented players from the top flight have struggled to adapt to the late training nights and managing their own fitness levels in the part time game.
A long standing Knee injury will also face the acid test of performing on the artificial surface week in week out. A repeat of the same injury could be fatal in terms of how many games Jordan plays for Widnes.
Despite fitness concerns, Jordan is a coup for Widnes and anything close to his best form will create havoc for opponents in defence. An inform Jordan Abdull could be the missing spark to ignite fire into the Widnes attack for flair players to feed off.
Fight for 13
Perhaps the most congested position in the 2026 squad is the battle for Loose Forward. It is expected Nick Gregson is most likely to get first opportunity to hold down the starting position.
Gregson was Colemans preference throughout 2025, appearing to play a key role in how the head coach wanted to set up and shape his team particularly ball in hand.
Jordan Johnstone is almost certain to drop in at Loose Forward once fan favourite Matty Fozard enters the field to speed up the attack from dummy half.
Lewis Hall is arguably the closest competitor to Johnstone and Gregson to force his way into the team with his aggressive approach to the game.
Morgan McWhirter and Liam Bent are also players who have occupied spells at Loose Forward throughout their Vikings career with a slightly different and more direct style of play.
Widnes seem to be well stocked in this area going into 2026 and the question remains would squad depth be better suited elsewhere in the team?
The injury concern of Danny Langtree is very much real and any reoccurrence of an injury would leave Widnes with Just Sam Wilde and Max Roberts to occupy the Back-Row, with Kieran Taylor also able to slot in despite spending most of his career playing Centre.
Towering forward Adam Lawton seems to be a preferred option in the Front-Row alongside Dan Murray, Jay Chapelhow, Jack Bibby, Liam Bent, Morgan McWhirter.
An extra body in the Front or Back-Row arguably would of been more beneficial for the Vikings heading into 2026.
