Owens: Widnes and Bradford get Championship mark

Widnes Vikings fullback Jack Owens believes his side and Bradford Bulls are marked in the Championship as former Super League sides.

Owens re-signed for Widnes following their relegation in 2018, while Bradford Bulls were relegated in 2014 after lifting four Super League titles.

The former St Helens fullback believes sides still see Widnes and Bradford as sizeable scalps in the Championship.

He said: “The Championship will competitive this season. There will be no easy games.

“The likes of us and Bradford have that mark on us, where teams always want to turn up against us.”

When asked about the future, Owens added: “Widnes is a big club, which should be in the Super League.

“From a players point of view, you turn up thinking you are going to win, although it does not always work out like that.

“Getting back to Super League looks after itself. Perhaps it is not a question I can answer, but rather someone higher up than me.

“I am just focusing on this season. I believe if we apply ourselves well, then we will be up there at the end of the season.”