James and Mike are back to assess how Widnes Vikings are shaping up for the 2026 season following the latest signings.

The new Championship format is debated, including speculation over Widnes' opponents for the new season, and just how the RFL can sort it out for the future.

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Widnes Vikings General Manager Tim Holmes and Commercial Manager Dave Rolt are special guests on this episode of the Widnes Rugby Chat podcast, as they both discuss their respective returns to the club.

They talk about their reasons for returning and how they’re hoping to make an impact, as well as discussing a number of topics including the state of rugby league, promotion and relegation and much more.

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We break down Widnes' IMG grading score and ranking after last week's announcement of the three teams joining the expanded Super League, which unsurprisingly didn't include the Vikings.

Comparisons are made to last year's score, with Widnes highlighting that they made the fourth biggest improvement in score.

There's some chatter on new signings Jack Bibby and Kieran Taylor.

Widnes Vikings women’s head coach Dom Dean and long-serving player Jenny Moss are special guests on the podcast ahead of this weekend’s Grand Final clash with Wakefield.

They talk about their season, Super League aspirations and how the women’s game has progressed at Widnes and beyond.

There’s insight in to what to expect on Sunday as they look to end an excellent season on a high and earn promotion to the Championship.

James and Mike return to discuss Widnes' first new signing of 2026, half-back Jordan Abdull.

Mike fills us in on his visit to watch Widnes Vikings Women, as they prepare for the League One play-offs, and also the end of season awards.

Then your questions are answered, including thoughts on squad balance, season tickets and the average age of the crowd!

James and Mike review the defeat at Halifax that brought an end to Widnes' hopes of reaching the 2025 Championship play-offs.

Mystery remains over what 2026 will look like, be it in Super League or the Championship.

We also give our picks for Try of the Season.

James and Mike return to discuss Widnes' five match winning run and look ahead to the crunch trip to Halifax this week that will almost certainly decide who makes the top six.

There's a long discussion over the new Championship format, with some talk on how the fixture format will work in the new-look 21-team division.

And we ponder if there is any realistic chance of Widnes being in Super League in 2026.

James and Mike return as Widnes kept their season alive with a win away at Barrow, with Allan Coleman providing his reaction to that game.

There's analysis of the respective run-ins of the teams in the hunt for the Championship play-offs, as Widnes prepare to face Featherstone this weekend.

Attention then turns to the ongoing plans to increase Super League to 14 teams in 2026, and where that leaves Widnes for the future.

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In a rather understated 100th ever episode of the Widnes Rugby Chat podcast, we hear from Allan Coleman following Widnes' win over Batley.

Then just a short run through from James of the news affecting Widnes this week, plus the usual Championship predictions.

Widnes pair Morgan McWhirter and Ben Condon are special guests on the podcast, to talk about life in Widnes, how they have found playing in the Championship and their hopes for the rest of the season. They also talk about their team-mates and Super League prospects for the future.

James and Mike debate the impending changes around the Championship, the impact on recruitment and the player pool and there’s our usual Championship predictions.