#SLWARWID
This Good Friday Widnes Vikings face Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in the 7th round of the First Utility Super League. The first game of a huge Easter weekend double header for the Vikings.
Denis Betts will be without Captain Kevin Brown, centre Charly Runciman and forward Hep Cahill after pulling up in training with minor injuries. All three players will be assessed over the weekend to determine their availability for the Easter Monday clash with St Helens at the Select Security Stadium.
Patrick Ah Van makes a return whilst Sam Brookes and Ed Chamberlain appear in the 19 man squad for the first time this season.

5 Patrick Ah Van
34 Sam Brooks
25 Ed Chamberlain
14 Chris Dean
18 Gil Dudson
20 Alex Gerrard
21 Tom Gilmore
1 Rhys Hanbury
33 Aaron Heremaia
11 Chris Houston
19 Macgraff Leuluai
10 Manase Manuokafoa
17 Stefan Marsh
7 Joe Mellor
8 Eamon O’Carroll
15 Setaimata Sa
2 Corey Thompson
9 Lloyd White
22 Matt Whitley

3 big blows mate. All top players.

Thats massive for them, losing Brown is HUGE.

I'm disappointed they're (especially Brown) not playing - Ready made excuse for the Chemics now.... If they happen to beat us, the crowing would be even louder!

Hopefully they'll be at full strength in the reverse fixture.

"Denis, Denis ! what's all this about Cahill, Brown and Runciman being injured ?"

"Er, yes Mr O'Connor, I am afraid it's true"

" But they were all right yesterday"

" Well yes, but they got injured in training"

" So exactly what happened ?"

" Well, you are not going to believe this, but they all tripped over a blade of polypropylene on the pitch and strained their fartlock medial ligaments"

" You're right, I am not going to believe this. Since the fartlock medial ligament is well known for excellent healing times, can we expect all three to be available again in say 3 days time?"

"er.., yes Mr O'Connor"

On the handicap we were giving them a 12 start il expect that to change now.

I'd go with......

Russell
Lineham
Evans
Atkins
Penny
Gidley
Sandow
Hill
Clark
Simms
Currie
Hughes
Westerman

Cox
Ratchford (interchange hooker)
King
Super Ben (interchange with 11,12,13)

Benjamin Jullien & Joe Pilbin to miss out but I think they will both play at Hull with Super Ben starting.

Why don't you become a comedian?

confidence levels have just risen considerably! Might need to alter my score prediction now.

Come off it mate. Brown maybe...

Agree with all of that - the only complication is Easter and Smith maybe deciding on squad rotation. The side you mention is the strongest we could put out on Friday if that is the way he chooses to go (and I think he will).

Looking forward to the game!

You cant sniff at Runciman, not an NRL standard player however i think he has 16 tries in 19 games for Widnes so will be a big miss for them.

I think that on Monday TS will rest Jack Hughes and Ben C. Play Joe W off the bench and have Julien at 11, Joe Philbin at 12 & Super Ben at 13.

Don't know about the Props for Monday but Hilly And Ashton will need a rest for the Pie game on Friday.
So Jordan Cox to start on Monday. Where is Ben Evans up to ? It would be great if he were on the bench against Hull

Could easily be that team. But I wonder if Ratchford might replace Gidley at some point ? If we are winning, he may rest Gidley.
Then there are the props. I think Hill only played a couple of minutes in the second half of the Cas game. I wonder though if he might rest Simms and use Benny as the extra prop ?

Lots of possibilities, and with three Widnes players rested / injured, he may even give Philbin a run instead of one of the BR's. Tough one to call.