Widnes Rugby Forum - Recent Topics

Thank You Sir Kev

Spelly — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 22:43:46 +0000

Just watched it. What a guy!

If you've not seen it, you can catch it on the iPLAYER.

Spelly.

London Broncos

Quincy1 — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:21:23 +0000

If London do not get into Super League 2027.

If they return to the Championship will they be under the same financial constraints as the remaining Championship Clubs.

London Broncos

Quincy1 — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:21:05 +0000

If London do not get into Super League 2027.

If they return to the Championship will they be under the same financial constraints as the remaining Championship Clubs.

Steve Roberts RIP

Widiot — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 23:25:39 +0000

Some of my first memories as a kid were listening to him doing the radio commentaries of our games. RIP Steve. Thoughts with his friends and family at this incredibly sad time.

Cru --------

Spelly — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:12:29 +0000

---------- not gonna be with us next term, according to a post on Serious About Rugby League's Facebook page.

Spelly.

Former Chemic -------------

Spelly — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 18:27:24 +0000

----- Ryan Sheridan, appointed as the the new head coach at Sheffield.

Spelly.

2027 an opportunity

Dan1 — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 10:15:18 +0000

Looking at last years top 5

1. London - Hopefully go up to SL with the NRL deal. Englands performance vs Tonga will put more pressure on the deal to be pushed through as Samoa and Tonga have now both overtaken England. Being full time London are much too good for the Championship and need to go up.

2. Newcastle - scaling back operations, going back to being part time. Head coach Steadman has departed. See them being lower mid table.

3.Oldham - released 11 players, the SOC coach and assistant coach. Only signed 4 players so far, and only 1 (Russell) on a par with the player released (Drinkwater) Other signings are from Rochdale, Sheffield and Keighley.

4. Doncaster - be interesting to see how many of the squad they can keep. Not announced a full list of who is leaving yet. 2 first team players retired. Lyne and Briscoe and 2 signed elsewhere, Baldwinson, Hunslet and Pauli, Dewsbury. No new signings so far.

5. Widnes low player turnover, 4 players, majority of squad retained. Only really Connell you would say leaving with us not wanting him to go. 2 Aussies signed looking to have potential. Winger probably like for like but younger and a half back with more of a running game that we have been missing.

Normally you have to strengthen to move forward, but with the new cap this time standing still is actually a bonus. For me looking at the above, London have to go up, if Doncaster somehow manage to retain the rest of the squad, we are looking at 2nd place, moving ahead of Newcastle and Oldham.

Below us, Salford have signed 3 good players but not enough to jump to the top. Fax, Barrow and Sheffield the same.

With SL having 15 teams, the odd number doesnt work long term, its an opportunity to expand to 16 rather than decrease to 14 and we need to be in the shop window. A good opportunity to win the GF and apply some pressure to put us in.

The decline of GB/Eng

Spike Island 90 — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:26:04 +0000

Based on the performances of NZ, Aus and now Samoa, I’m expecting a loss against Tonga.

it’s sad how much we have regressed since the 70s we haven’t competed consistently, I do wonder what changed. Prior to 75, we had the better of Australia but since then, it’s been miserable.

Oldham

geoffw — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:54:22 +0000

Oldham have released 9 players due to the tightening of the cap. However they are still signing quality players. Even if London go out of the Championship we will still have stiff opposition but nowhere near London's quality. Doncaster, Barrow, Salford & Halifax may also be stronger. Much will depend on the quality of our Australian recruits as to how we go. Thoughts?

London

7 Vikingnomad — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:53:05 +0000

So the latest news is the convicts will be in a 15 team league if a majority of the SL teams vote for it, but they will have half funding, like Toulouse and York did last year

the SL teams will vote for it as they want the dosh from NRL

bradfraud should have gone down - so many questions about their IMG gradings from last year !

that is good news for us as they are out of our hair, we really need a good season next year

next season will be a really pivotal season for us I feel

small squad and with changes to SL reserve league, May be difficult to loan players

onwards and upwards !