Widnes Vikings have confirmed their leadership group for the upcoming Championship season.
The Vikings are one of the clubs expected to be competing at the top of the table in the second tier this year, having made some notable signings in the build-up to the new season. Jordan Abdull is the biggest name landed, with the former Hull KR and Hull FC half-back returning to the sport after being released by Hull a year ago.
He’s joined by the likes of Jack Bibby, Jay Chapelhow, Nathan Connell and Sam Wilde in making the move to Widnes and the latter will be one of the club’s leaders this year.
Wilde, who has returned to Cheshire after spending a season with North Wales Crusaders, will serve as a vice-captain. He’ll deputise for Jack Owens, who will keep hold of the captaincy for a seventh successive season.
Owens has been with Widnes since 2019, when he returned for a second spell with the club following stints with St Helens, Sheffield Eagles and Leigh Leopards and he has made 138 appearances for the club since.
🫡 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲! 🤍🖤
📢 Jack Owens continues as Club Captain for a seventh successive season, with Sam Wilde named Vice-Captain following his return to the club! 💪#InOurDNA pic.twitter.com/mID6znXqiU
— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) January 6, 2026
Such has been his importance to the Vikings’ cause, Owens has led the club as skipper since 2020 and he’s done enough to keep hold of that role heading into 2026.
Given he started his career at Widnes, the 31-year-old back has now racked up over 200 appearances for the club over those two spells.
Wilde has made 142 outings in Widnes colours over the course of his career so far and in installing him as vice captain, head coach Allan Coleman has undoubtedly recognised that.
The back-rower enjoyed the season of his career to date last time around, scoring 23 tries in 20 games as North Wales won the League 1 title. He’ll be striving to build on that in 2026 by helping Widnes up the Championship table.
The Cheshire outfit are due to play a pre-season clash against Warrington Wolves on Friday night before getting their Championship season underway with a trip to big spending London Broncos on January 18.
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