Widnes Vikings team news
Sunday marks yet another meeting between Widnes and Wakefield, as Trinity look to claim revenge after last years 16-12 League One Grand Final defeat to Widnes.
It was Widnes on that day who claimed the victory with a late Sammy Traynor try to clinch promotion for Dom Dean’s girls, but there was little to split the two teams.
Wakefield remain the strong favourites to win League One this season, whilst Widnes look to solidify themselves as a competitive Championship team.
Hannah Whitehead and Tracy Peet have been key in the middle for Widnes in pre-season fixtures, whilst Naoimh Gill-Ward has produced moments of magic in attack.
The Widnes forward pack looks fit, physical and strong, however the Vikings attack has struggled for fluidity at times.
Ball in hand glimpses have been on display of what the team is capable of but Widnes will want to showcase more consistency and threat attacking the try line out wide.
Widnes Changes
Head coach Dom Dean welcomes back Hannah Quirk who sustained a Hamstring injury in the League One Grand Final. Due to the form of Naoimh Gill-Ward at Full-back throughout pre-season, Hannah gets the luxury of easing her way back into action on the Wing.
Juliet Porter makes an appearance in the Centre after impressing on debut last week off the bench, whilst Jenny Moss, Chloe Richardson and Tracy Peet return to their primary positions.
Codie Slack comes into the Back-row completing a strong Widnes forward pack.
After impressing in a number of positions during pre-season, Marnie-Lee Kelly is awarded an opportunity to partner Hollie Jones at Half-back.
The pair feature for the first time together as a combination and will look to guide the Widnes team around the field and showcase their running threat.
Finally Hannah Goulbourne replaces the absent Vickie Grace on the bench after missing last week with a minor Shoulder injury.
The form of Wakefield
The 2025 League One runners up progressed to the second round of the Challenge Shield off the back of a conceded game by North Wales Crusaders.
Despite the disappointment, Wakefield have impressed during pre-season most notably beating Championship opposition Bradford Bulls 12-10.
The result was a statement of intent and despite now a league bellow, Wakefield are a team ready to compete alongside Widnes in the Championship division.
From a Wakefield point of view, Sunday’s action is another opportunity to showcase their growth as a club.
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