Martyn Reilly ‘like new signing’ for Widnes Vikings after horror injury

WIDNES VIKINGS coach Allan Coleman says experienced forward Martyn Reilly is effectively an eighth new recruit.

The coach has bought in backs Cameron Brown (from Cornwall), Dec Patton (Featherstone) and Wigan duo Adam Jones and Reagan Sumner as well as pack players Brett Bailey (St Helens) and Gavin Bennion and Lewis Hall from his former club Swinton, since guiding his charges to the play-offs in his first season at the helm.

Reilly moved from Batley on a two-year contract twelve months earlier, but within weeks needed surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 29-year-old prop or loose-forward managed just two appearances, both from the bench – in the 26-24 win at Barrow in the final game of the regular season as Widnes finished fifth, then the 27-10 loss at York in the following play-off eliminator.

“Martyn’s injury was a huge blow both for himself and us as a team,” said Coleman.

“But it was good to give him those couple of games last year, and he has been outstanding in pre-season.

“He has looked strong, sharp and hungry, and he will certainly add plenty to us going forward.

“Martyn is an experienced player and a natural leader, and it will be pretty much like having a new signing.”

Coleman is also looking forward to being able to call on a fully-fit Danny Langtree after the second rower has surgery on a shoulder issue which hampered him in 2024, when he played only ten times, scoring four tries.

“Danny comes onto the same category as Martyn. He’s a tough, non-nonsense player and a good talker,” continued Coleman, whose side visit Rochdale in the second round of the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

“Gavin Bennion and Dec Patton bring that experience as well, and while we haven’t got the biggest squad (25 currently), hopefully we have a good balance.”

Widnes have taken former Warrington hooker Aiden Doolan, 22, on trial.