Hornets to face force of Vikings
ROCHDALE will welcome Widnes to the Crown Oil Arena for the club’s first pre-season friendly in the new year.
Hornets will host the Vikings on Sunday, January 5, with kick off at 3pm. The club’s two further preseason fixtures will also be at home, with local rivals Oldham and Swinton arriving on the following two Sundays.
Widnes - who were relegated from Super League at the end of the 2018 season - are expected to compete at the top of the Betfred Championship next year and will represent tough opposition as Matt Calland’s side ramp up preparations for their return to Betfred League 1.
Following the departure of boss Kieron Purtill, the Vikings have brought in former Canberra Raiders and Australia coach - and ex-Salford Red Devils director of rugby - Tim Sheens.
And this news was swiftly followed by an on-field signing coup, with Super League and Challenge Cup winner Matty Smith arriving following his release from Catalans Dragons.
Smith – Lance Todd trophy winner for Man of the Match in the 2013 Challenge Cup Final – came through the academy set up at St Helens, before a successful loan spell with Salford earned him a move to Wigan, where he quickly became a key fixture in Shaun Wane’s side.
However, Smith returned to St Helens following Wigan’s 2016 Grand Final victory but fell out of favour when Justin Holbrook replaced Kieron Cunningham and moved to Perpignan ahead of the 2019 season.
“Throughout my career I feel like I have always had a point to prove, and no matter where you play you always have a few doubters,” said Smith.
“I want to get back to enjoying my rugby again, and I think the way Tim wants to play will benefit me, which will hopefully show in my performances on the pitch.”