Widnes travel to Salford in hope of breaking into the Championship top four
It is now five straight victories for Allan Coleman and his team as the group continue their charge up the Championship table. Confidence seems to be building within the camp and Sunday provides another opportunity to close the gap on top four rivals.
Prolific Centre Joe Edge has put pen to paper on a new two year deal keeping him at the club until the end of the 2028 season. Widnes fended off several Super League clubs to retain the services of one of the top Championship talent.
Widnes are also boosted by the loan signings of Huddersfield Giants forward Jack Billington and Leigh Leopards forward Ryan Brown. The duo are set to make their debuts this coming weekend.
It is an opportunity for head coach Allan Coleman to rest some tired bodies as the team prepare for the second half of the Championship campaign.
A win for Widnes would see the club sit in a minimum of 5th position in the Championship, level on points with second place. Considering teams don’t play clubs an even amount of times, Allan Coleman on the whole will be delighted with his teams start to the season.
As for Salford it was always going to be a tough season following a financially uncertain 2025 season. Despite their troubles, Salford managed to assemble a team for the start of the 2026 Championship season.
To the clubs credit, Salford was served the most complex fixture run, due to the clubs relegation from Super League in 2025. Complexity of clubs fixtures in the Championship are determined on a clubs positioning in the league table from the previous year.
With Salford being the relegated team from the division above they have had the toughest fixture list.
It has been a gallant effort on the field by a youthful team for the most part in 2026, picking up three league wins so far this season. Victories come against Hunslet, Batley Bulldogs and local rivals Swinton Lions.
Three victories so far is an incredible effort considering where the club was only six months ago, and Salford will want to make Widnes victory number four of the season.
Salford welcome five loanees
To supplement a youthful, shallow squad, Salford have welcomed Harry Smith from Leeds Rhinos and Isaac Reid, James Duffy from Warrington Wolves.
Smith has been a regular feature in Leeds Rhinos reserve team playing Half-back, whilst Isaac Reid will strengthen Salford’s Front-row, after making 12 appearances for Rochdale Hornets on loan in the last two season.
Warrington Winger James Duffy made a single appearance last season for Widnes on loan, The tall Winger will want to leave an impression on the Vikings Sunday afternoon.
Salford also welcome Daniel Sarbah and Jenson Windley to the club as the duo make the move from Castleford Tigers on loan.
19 year old Windley, who can play Half-back or Full-back has made 10 first team appearances for Castleford, whilst Sarbah is yet to make his competitive debut for his parent club, despite playing two games for Newcastle Thunder last season.
One to Watch (Brad Dwyer)
The experienced Hooker was arguably the shock signing of the Championship season. Most of Salford’s recruitment was youthful players with little first team experience.
Securing the services of Dwyer was quite the opposite, having made 255 Super League appearances across his career.
Quick around the ruck, Dwyer will look to expose any lazy defence to get Salford on the front foot in attack. His leadership has been admiral to watch in the toughest of times for Salford.
His experience is vital in helping develop Salford’s younger talent amongst the playing group.
