Widnes welcome unbeaten Manchester Swinton Lionesses in the Vikings final game of the 2026 campaign

It has been a challenging couple of weeks for Dom Deans girls, who have been decimated by injuries in the final stages of the 2026 season. Despite missing personnel, the Vikings have secured their Championship status with a game spare.

The future is bright for Widnes, who are looking to build off their first season back in the Championship and are pushing hard to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2027 campaign.

Widnes have been heartened by the number of quality players registering an interest to link up with the Vikings ahead of the 2027 season. Any further players wanting to join the Vikings journey will be welcomed with open arms.

Team news

Head coach Dom Dean has made three changes to his starting seventeen that tasted defeat last weekend against Sheffield Eagles.

Ellie Reid and Tracy Peet return to action, whilst Tina Millan and Kat Williams drop out of the squad.

Front-row stalwart Hannah Whitehead hung up her boots for the final time last weekend, capping off a memorable Rugby League career. Chloe Richardson makes a return to action and slots into the Front-row as her replacement.

New signing Lowri Jones drops onto the bench for her Widnes debut in replacement of young talent Megan Wall.

Dom Dean also makes some tactical changes as Jenny Moss slots into the Back-row after covering in the Front-row last weekend, whilst Juliet Porter returns to starting duties at Hooker.

The opponents

Before the curtain comes down on the Vikings 2026 campaign, the biggest test of all lies ahead in the shape of Manchester Swinton Lionesses.

The unbeaten league leaders have had a faultless campaign as they charge into the play-offs as firm favourites to secure promotion to the Super League.

Perhaps more impressively, the Lionesses have only conceded 82 points in their Championship campaign and have already secured silverware reclaiming the Challenge Shield for the second year running.