Warrington Wolves fans will get a glimpse of three new faces when Sam Burgess’ side take on Widnes Vikings on Friday night.
The clash will represent Warrington’s first outing since last season and despite it coming a month out from the new season, Burgess has named a strong side for the meeting.
Senior faces such as Marc Sneyd, Toby King and Danny Walker will all be involved against the Vikings and after a frustrating 2025 season, they’ll all be keen to impress.
Sneyd will play in the halves alongside talented youngster Ewan Irwin and supporters will be keen to see the stand-off in action once more as he bids to build on the three run outs he made last year.
Fans will also be keen see the club’s new signings in action and, not including Sam Stone, who has made his loan move from Salford Red Devils permanent, three have been included in the starting XIII.
Kelepi Tanginoa made the move from Hull KR to Warrington at the end of November and he’ll get a first run out in primrose and blue. The back-rower won the treble at Craven Park last season and he possesses the type of power and strength the Wolves were desperately short of last time around.
He’ll play in a pack that also includes former Wigan Warriors man Liam Byrne. Warrington fans know exactly what they’re getting from Byrne and he’s expected to be a steady but strong presence in the middle.
Wire supporters will be looking at Josh Smith with plenty of intrigue, though, as the Australian makes his first appearance as a Warrington player. Smith arrives at the Halliwell Jones Stadium from Brisbane Tigers and given his entire career to date has been spent in the Queensland or New South Wales Cup, he represents something of an unknown quantity on this side of the world.
Elsewhere, Cai Taylor-Wray will get the chance to show why he has been given the number one shirt for 2026, while Josh and Jake Thewlis will appear on the wings.
Joe Philbin will be keen to put in a positive performance, too, after struggling for form in 2025 and being given the number 22 jersey.
The clash comes a week before Widnes get their Championship season underway against big spenders London Broncos at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Warrington Wolves team to face Widnes Vikings on Friday: Cai Taylor-Wray; Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Josh Smith, Jake Thewlis; Ewan Irwin, Marc Sneyd; Liam Byrne, Danny Walker, Joe Philbin; Sam Stone, Kelepi Tanginoa; Luke Yates.
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Anonymous
January 5, 2026 at 8:58 pm
Lmao he didn’t name the squad.