WARRINGTON have laid the foundations for an all-out bid for silverware in 2025.
That’s the view of Allan Coleman, coach of the Wolves’ dual-registration partners Widnes.
The Vikings make the short trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday to provide the first pre-season opposition for Sam Burgess’ side.
It’s after Warrington’s planned visit to Halifax for their former player James Saltonstall’s testimonial yesterday (Sunday, January 12) was frozen off.
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs ace Burgess is gearing up for his second season at the helm after leading his charges to the Challenge Cup Final and Super League play-off semis in his first season.
Warrington lost out to Wigan a Wembley in June and at Hull KR in October to end their 2024 campaign.
Since then Papua New Guinea international backrower Dan Russell, London Broncos halfback Oli Leyland and Leeds Reserves threequarter and former England rugby union sevens star Alfie Johnson have been added.
All three are set to face Widnes, where Burgess will also include experienced duo Stefan Ratchford and Zane Musgrove alongside a string of younger players.
Coleman is looking forward to his Championship side’s first work-out, saying: “It will be a good test.
“I saw first-hand last season that Warrington have some quality youngsters coming through to push the more experienced players.
“We have regular communication with Sam Burgess and Gary Chambers (director of rugby) and see the level of work they are doing there.
“They came close last year, and having learned from that and tweaked the squad, I can see them pushing on and being even more of a threat.”
After hosting Widnes, Warrington have a warm-weather training trip to Tenerife before facing Leigh at the Halliwell Jones in centre Toby King’s testimonial.
