2026 Opposition Insight | Widnes Vikings
12/01/2026
Written by Will Russell
Next up in our Opposition Insight series ahead of the new Betfred Championship season focuses on Widnes Vikings.
They experienced a mixed-season in 2025, finishing 7th, one spot outside the playoffs. They had an inconsistent campaign, winning 11 and losing 11, which resulted in them finding themselves four points behind Featherstone Rovers at the end of the year in the fight for play offs.
The Vikings experienced better form away from home last year, winning 7 of their 12 games, compared to just the four wins at home all season, a stat which rang true at the Steel City Stadium as they beat the Eagles 24-12 in August last year.
They’ll be looking to improve their consistency this year and put themselves in with a chance of making the playoffs in 2026.
When we play them in 2026?
R12 | Sunday 3rd May (A) | DCBL Stadium (3pm)
R26 | Sunday 30th August (H) | Steel City Stadium (3pm)
2026 Recruitment
In their bid to strengthen the side coming into the new season, the Vikings have recruited a host of exciting new players for their squad for 2026, three of which coming from North Wales Crusaders. Forwards Kieran Taylor, Toby Hughes and Sam Wilde have all made the switch to Widnes, bolstering the Vikings’ pack.
More additions to the pack include Jay Chapelhow, a prop who is returning to the club where he started his career at, as well as Jack Bibby, a prop who has seen his loan move turn permanent from Huddersfield Giants.
Potentially the most exciting signing however is Jordan Abdull, a former Super League and England international. Abdull has signed on a one-year deal, with the Vikings hoping his experience can help bolster their backline.
Ones to Watch
Dan Murray will be one to look out for next season at Widnes. The forward picked up both the Coaches and Player’s Player of the Season awards last year, marking him as a key man for the Vikings’ chances of improving.
Joe Edge picked up the Fan’s Player of the Season award, and will once again be a key threat in the backs for the Vikings in 2025.
Hooker Matty Fozard was an ever-present for Widnes last season, as he was one of only two Vikings players, the other being Dan Murray, to play in all 29 competitive fixtures last campaign, and his consistency will once again be vital for the upcoming year.
2026 Squad
1 Matt Fleming, 2 Mike Butt, 3 Jack Owens, 4 Joe Edge, 5 Ryan Ince, 6 Joe Lyons, 7 Tom Gilmore, 8 Dan Murray, 9 Jordan Johnstone, 10 Liam Bent, 11 Sam Wilde, 12 Max Roberts, 13 Nick Gregson, 14 Matty Fozard, 15 Lewis Hall, 16 Danny Langtree, 18 Morgan McWhirter, 19 Adam Lawton, 20 Jack Bibby, 21 Jay Chapelhow, 22 Jordan Abdull, 23 Nathan Connell, 24 Frank Sergent, 25 Kieran Taylor, 26 Toby Hughes, 27 Deacon Connolly, 28 Jack Houghton
