Vikings to give whole squad a run out (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Vikings to give whole squad a run out

11:17am Thursday 21st January 2010 in

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HAVING belatedly kicked off their pre-season programme last night against Saints, Vikings give their whole squad a final blast this weekend with an unusual double header.

The strongest possible team is expected to tackle Super League side Salford City Reds at the Stobart Stadium on Sunday as the coaching staff give the new-look Vikings one more opportunity to get their timing right and combinations working ahead of the season’s start.

The day before that on Saturday a young Vikings XIII will be marking Carcassonne's 70th anniversary with a game at the Stade Albert Domec.

That team selected for France features younger members of the first team squad - Dean Thompson, Danny Hulme, Dave Houghton and Anthony Mullally.

The team will fly out on Friday, attending a reception with the mayor at Carcassonne town hall on the morning of the match and then returning on Sunday.

Although it will be a tough match for the young Widnes team coached by Dave Banks and Phil Finney, the club believes the experience will assist their development as players.

The first team panel will be looking to build on last night’s first run out on Sunday when Shaun McRae’s Salford are the visitors (3pm).

Vikings new signings - prop Gareth Haggerty and threequarter Matt Gardner - will be coming up against one of their former teams.

Both players were at the Willows prior to moving to Harlequins.

Powerhouse Haggerty in particular will be out to make an impact if selected.

The Reds will feature a couple of familiar faces – one time loan players from St Helens in their Matty Smith and Ste Tyrer are in their ranks.

Versatile Australian Daniel Holdsworth – a new signing from NRL side Canterbury – featured in the Reds’ half century mauling of Swinton at the weekend.

The prolonged cold spell scuppered Vikings’ proposed friendly games against Warrington, twice, and Blackpool – which has frustrated the coaching staff’s and if it is any consolation most of the other clubs are in the same boat.

The thaw game will help get Vikings up to speed for the start of the season on January 31 when Gateshead are the visitors in the Northern Rail Cup.

Cup holders Widnes have three other group games – a mouth watering home clash against champions Barrow and aways against Batley and Swinton.

The squad for the game going to France is; Mark Briordy, Danny Craven, Danny Crompton, Sam Cunningham, Alex Gerrard, Danny Hulme, Lee Hudson, Dave Houghton, Tom Kelly, Dave Kennedy (c), Chris Lunt, Anthony Mullally, Tom Rigby, Greg Scott, Jack Smith, Dean Thompson, Chris Walsh and Tom Wood-Hulme.

The team to play Salford will be finalised after last night’s game against Saints, which was played after the World had gone to press.

A full match report for Vikings’ game against Saints and some pictures is now on our website.

Match reports of all Vikings’ games in 2010 will appear on our website every Monday.