AFTER a few dark years, it feels like a corner is beginning to be turned by Widnes.
Last season’s fifth-placed finish was their best performance since relegation from Super League way back in 2018, and fans finally have reason to approach a season with optimism again.
Allan Coleman deserves a reasonable slice of the credit for the work done in his first year as head coach, although he will now be expected to push the Vikings on further.
As well as former Super League star Dec Patton and fellow playmaker Cameron Brown from Cornwall, Widnes have recruited two more players from Coleman’s old haunt Swinton in forwards Gavin Bennion and Lewis Hall, plus youngsters Brett Bailey (from St Helens) and Reagan Sumner (Wigan) after previous loan spells with the club.
It’s a squad with the depth of talent to go a long way.
Watch out for… Who makes it into their spine. Widnes were already well stocked with Joe Lyons and Tom Gilmore as halfbacks, Jack Owens at fullback, and hooker taken by Jordan Johnstone and Matty Fozard. So it remains to be seen where Dec Patton fits in following his move from Featherstone, not to mention Cameron Brown who was an impressive performer in League One. It’s a good dilemma, but a dilemma nonetheless.
Squad: 1 Jack Owens, 2 Ryan Ince, 3 Matty Fleming, 4 Joe Edge, 5 Mike Butt, 6 Joe Lyons, 7 Tom Gilmore, 8 Dan Murray, 9 Jordan Johnstone, 10 Martyn Reilly, 11 Rhodri Lloyd, 12 Danny Langtree, 13 Ryan Lannon, 14 Matty Fozard, 15 Liam Bent, 16 Liam Kirk, 17 Max Roberts, 18 Nick Gregson, 19 Dec Patton, 20 Lewis Hall, 21 Gavin Bennion, 22 Reagan Sumner, 23 Cameron Brown, 24 Brett Bailey, 26 Adam Jones, 27 Aiden Doolan, 29 Rhys Williams.
Rugby League World predicts: 6th
First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 505 (February 2025)
