Widnes aim to get their season back on track, but it doesn’t get any easier as they welcome table toppers Toulouse
Allan Coleman’s men have had much improved performances across the last two matches at home, however despite their efforts have walked away with 1 point from a possible 4.
The Vikings have previously welcomed Halifax and York to the DCBL Stadium where they have showed moments of class, scoring some scintillating tries in the games. The performances have probably showed the good the bad and the ugly for Widnes giving up 16 and 18 point leads in the process.
Many would argue the Halifax match was a point lost, however the 18 point turn around against York was cruel on Widnes as they was left with no interchanges following injuries to captain Jack Owens, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hall and Jordan Johnstone.
The story wasn’t just losing the bench. It was the pivotal positions the players take up for Widnes ripping the spine out of the team.
Despite the loss, head coach Coleman remains positive about the season ahead and this week announced former NRL star Ben Condon. The former Manly and North Queensland man has scored 5 tries in 17 NRL appearances.
The signing offers supporters hope and an insight to the potential recruitment strategy of the club moving forward. Criticism has been aimed at the club for signing players from the same teams, but for the first time since going part time Widnes now have three Australians onboard, perhaps a sign Coleman is developing strong links with the overseas market.
Pre Match Entertainment
Another area of the club that has faced criticism is the lack of entertainment around the stadium pre and post match. This week marks the first trial of a possible partnership with the Widnes Bowling club linking up pre and post match.
The club will be open from 12 o’clock and live music begins at 4.15PM welcoming Lee Egerton who will perform a variety of hits including classics from Oasis, Stereophonics and Fleetwood Mac.
Post match awards and presentations will also take place in the Bowling Club and supporters are encouraged to join the team after match action.
The event is the first and has potential to grow providing it is well attended.
The Vikings are also working hard on securing alternative pre match entertainment to a variety of age groups, more details will follow in the weeks to come.
How Toulouse shape up
No doubt about it the French team arrive red hot favourites sitting top of the table having won 11 of a possible 13 matches. Their only defeats have come against Widnes and Doncaster, perhaps the two most inconsistent teams in the Championship.
They arrive having won their last 8 matches but are without a couple of key faces. It is no surprise Olly Ashall-Bott misses the fixture having sustained horrific leg injuries in the past on the artificial surface.
Starting Half-Back Jake Shorrocks and Hooker Callum Gahan also miss the trip to Widnes. It is perhaps an area of encouragement for Colemans troops as Toulouse arrive with just one of their starting spine players available.
Experienced player Dom Peyroux also is absent from the Toulouse pack, yet they still remain strong in the forwards.
One to Watch
This weeks player to watch is Lambert Belmas. The big number 8 is no doubt the pack leader of the visitors. The Vikings are low on numbers in the forwards, so players like Dan Murray and Liam Bent will have the difficult task of containing the Prop.
Toulouse as mentioned above are without numerous spine players and with a lack of size in the Widnes camp many would assume Toulouse will try to over power Allan Colemans side.
Belmas plays the game on the edge with an aggressive style of play in both attack and defence. He is no doubt one of the best Front-Rowers outside of Super League and if his side clinches promotion he will no doubt keep hold of his starting jersey.
Previous 5 meetings
- Widnes 12-14 Toulouse – March 18th 2023
- Toulouse 40-28 Widnes – 1st July 2023
- Toulouse 28-20 Widnes – 25th May 2024
- Widnes 12-18 Toulouse – 21st September 2024
- Toulouse 14-18 Widnes – 15th February 2025
Trivia
- Former Widnes player Scott Yates remains the highest points scorer in a match between the two teams scoring 26 points in a 70-0 home victory for Widnes back in March 2009.
- 17 matches have been played between the two teams since Toulouse shocked Widnes in the Challenge Cup back in 2005, Toulouse have won 9 compared to the 8 won by Widnes.
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