What if a key player, such as Briers or Hodgson, gets injured, is it not worth playing a weaker team and possibly getting beat by Widnes but knowing we have a full strength team for the playoffs, rather than beating Widnes but risk an injury?

We really getting worried over Widnes? Should have full team out for rest of year now need momentum going into the main part of season.

This.

I expect a fairly strong squad for Widnes, after all do we not have the next week off? Don't thick players have 2 or 3 weeks without a game will be benefitial.

I think you are onto something there SLIMply. We could avoid playing anybody at all and rest the whole squad.