Widnes travel to Sheffield with hopes of a play-off finish all but over
The Vikings head back on the road to Olympic Legacy Park as they hope to claim their first win in 4 matches. The play-off race for Widnes looks to be all but over, yet a victory against Sheffield is crucial to avoid a bottom four finish.
The remaining fixtures for the club are still important in an attempt for Widnes to limit damage to the on field performance pillar in the IMG grading system. Performance scores are carried over for a three year period and a bottom four finish would arguably tarnish last years 5th place finish.
Coleman has been boosted by the return of Tom Gilmore, the experienced Half-Back is ahead of schedule in his return to fitness and could feature within the next three weeks.
Dynamic forward Luke Thomas is available for selection, which is a much needed boost to the Front-Row. Whilst Will Roberts and Dec Patton will pair up at Half-Back for the third consecutive game, which will do no harm for fluidity in attack.
Widnes born St Helens star John Bennison will link up with Widnes on duel registration, he will likely take a spot on the Wing to replace the unavailable Rhys Williams.
Sheffield enter the game currently languishing third from bottom in the league table. A win for Sheffield would take the Eagles four points behind Widnes.
It has been a troubling period for the Eagles since former coach Mark Aston was forced to step down from his duties as head coach. Match day form last season plummeted, which resulted in them losing out on a play-off spot last term.
The form of last season has continued into this year with current head coach Craig Lingard only picking up four wins all season. Player departures have been frequent across the year, losing experienced players like James Glover, Ben Jones-Bishop and Mitch Clark to rival clubs.
Two players who have arrived mid season are former Widnes players Danny Craven and Martyn Reilly. Both will look to make an immediate impact in the game to prove critics wrong if selected.
How Sheffield shape up
Similar to Widnes, Sheffield won’t be able to name a fully fit 21 man squad with both teams suffering from an injury hit season. In an interview for the club head coach Craig Lingard highlighted how tough the season has been on the injury front.
Connor Bower will miss the game through a head injury he has sustained. Jenson Windley departs the club returning to Castleford after producing two man of the match performances in as many weeks for the club.
Leader Joel Farrell and Alex Foster still remain absent from the squad. Farrell still remains numerous weeks off a return to fitness. Both players will be a huge miss in the Back-Row. Hooker Corey Johnson will also miss Sunday’s action.
In better news for the Eagles experienced spine players Matty Marsh and Corey Aston make a return to the match day squad. Both players would add much needed attacking threat for Craig Lingard if selected.
Towering forward Masi Matongo and Winger Jayden Billy are also in the mix to make a return. All four players still remain a doubt for the Eagles.
One to watch
This weeks one to watch is Huddersfield based Titus Gwaze. The aggressive forward can operate at Loose-Forward and in the Front-Row equally as well.
The 26 year old has been one of the stand out forwards in the Championship over numerous seasons. He has had previous spells with London Broncos and Halifax Panthers before he joined forces with Sheffield.
A no nonsense middle, with an aggressive playing style will look to take advantage of an understrength Vikings Front-Row. His quick play the balls and line breaking ability will be crucial for the Eagles to feed off in attack.
Still only 26 he has the best of his playing days still to come. He is a player admired by many throughout the Championship. A player like Gwaze would be an ideal addition to the Widnes squad in 2026.
Previous 5 meetings
- Widnes 10-8 Sheffield – 23rd February 2025
- Widnes 35-20 Sheffield – 25th August 2024
- Sheffield 30-21 Widnes – June 23rd 2024
- Widnes 18-38 Sheffield – September 17th 2023
- Sheffield 42-12 Widnes – March 5th 2023
Trivia
- Since 1988 the teams have met on 40 occasions. Widnes have claimed 27 victories compared to Sheffield’s 13.
- Widnes are yet to win a competitive game at Sheffield’s current home stadium Olympic Legacy Park
- Only one player has scored a hat-trick against Widnes in the fixture and that was former Viking man Aaron Brown in a Sheffield 36-18 victory in the 1895 cup final at Wembley
