Widnes Vikings will look to build on last week’s happy homecoming at the DCBL Stadium when they host Sheffield Eagles on Sunday afternoon in Round 12 of the Betfred Championship (3pm kick-off).
The Vikings put in a dominant display against Halifax Panthers last time out, scoring 10 tries without reply to run out 54-0 winners.
Now, they prepare to host a Sheffield side currently two points behind Widnes in the table, having played a game fewer.
The fixture will also mark the club’s Retro Round: a celebration of Widnes RLFC’s storied past, including the launch of the club’s heritage number initiative.
🎟️ Ticket information
Tickets are available for the game here.
Supporters can also pick up their tickets on Sunday at the Vikings club shop, which will be open from midday until kick-off.
📰 Squad news
There are two changes to the 21-man squad following last week’s 54-0 victory over Halifax.
Nick Gregson comes back into the mix, as does Deacon Connolly. Kieran Taylor drops out having joined Swinton Lions on a two-week loan, while Adam Lawton serves the first match of a three-game suspension.
Our official 2026 squad news partner is Motorpoint Widnes!
🤍 Heritage celebrations
History will be made at this Sunday’s home game with the launch of the Widnes RLFC heritage numbers.
Every player to have made a competitive appearance for the club since 1895 has been awarded a heritage number in the order of which they made their first appearance, and all past players are invited to come along this weekend to be among the first to learn theirs.
Fans are encouraged to wear their favourite retro shirts to the game, and a heritage museum will be situated in the Viking Village showcasing the club’s history.
Past players who wish to attend should email tim@widnesvikings.co.uk to ensure a ticket is left for them to collect at the Legends Bar.
🥊 The opposition
After a disappointing three-game losing run in league and cup, Sheffield Eagles bounced back last weekend with a hard-fought 38-26 victory over Salford RLFC.
Sitting nicely inside the Championship’s top 10, they have enjoyed a largely positive start to the campaign and will have their eyes on solidifying their position in the table.
Their squad boasts a wealth of experience at this level, including two former Vikings: Martyn Reilly, who featured 17 times for the club during an injury-disrupted spell, and winger Ryan Millar, who scored seven tries in eight appearances for the club during the 2023 campaign.
Sheffield Eagles 21-man squad: Jayden Billy, Connor Bower, Harry Bowes, Joe Brown, Jack Bussey, Reiss Butterworth, Jamie Cooke, Lennie Ellis, Kieran Gill, Marcus Green, George Griffin, Josh Hodson, Corey Johnson, Masi Matongo, Ryan Millar, Kai Morgan, Will Oakes, Lewis Peachey, Martyn Reilly, Billy Walkley.
⏪ Record against Sheffield
The Vikings won home and away against Sheffield last season, although there were just two points in it when the Eagles visited the DCBL Stadium in Round 2.
In difficult conditions, Rhys Williams’ try broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, with a further score from Matt Fleming in the second half enough to see Widnes maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Last five meetings:
- Sheffield 12-24 Widnes (Championship R20, 3/8/25)
- Widnes 10-8 Sheffield (Championship R2, 23/2/25)
- Widnes 35-20 Sheffield (Championship R21, 25/8/24)
- Sheffield 30-21 Widnes (Championship R12, 23/6/24)
- Widnes 18-38 Sheffield (Championship R26, 17/9/23)
🗣️ Max Roberts previews home game against Sheffield
Vikings back-rower Max Roberts previews Sunday’s Round 12 clash with the Eagles at the DCBL Stadium.
🏉 Officials
The referee for this fixture is Tara Jones.
📲 Follow the game with the Vikings
Are you not going to be with us? You can keep updated with the Vikings’ official club coverage!
Vikings fans will be able to get full updates through our match coverage on our official X account – your hub to find out all the key news, including matchday line-ups, live game updates and post-game coverage.
🔮 Fancy a bet?
If you’re betting on Super League or any rugby league this weekend, why not do it with TeamBet and help raise funds for Widnes Vikings in the process?
After their hat-tricks last weekend, Joe Edge and Ryan Ice are both priced at 6/1 to score the first try against Sheffield.
