Jack Owens says Widnes “have to” make the playoffs

Widnes full-back Jack Owens has said the club have “no excuses” to not challenge for the playoffs this year after falling short in 2021.

The Vikings finished eighth in the Championship table at the end of the regular season. They finished three wins behind Whitehaven, who claimed the sixth spot.

It was their first full season since becoming a part-time team. They started the 2020 season with three wins from their opening five games.

With the Championship remaining as competitive as ever in 2022, Owens recognises a lot of clubs will be in the running.

He said: “Everyone is the same. They just want to get into that into the playoffs into the top six.

“Obviously we said that last year and fell short. And to be honest, we have to make it this year. There’s no excuse for us.

“We’ve recruited well. We’ve got we’ve gone for lads who have played championship for years now. Quite young lads as well. You know, 24-25. We signed Aaron Brown whose 29. He’s a very good player in this league. So everyone knows what to expect.

“And those tough games away at Dewsbury and Batley, teams like that where we losing points last year, we need to pick them up this year and I think we are in a fine place to do that.”

Owens excited for London trip

Widnes open their Championship campaign at the end of the month. They will be the first visitors to London Broncos’ new home at Plough Lane.

Owens added on that trip: “It’s Wimbledon, it should be should be a nice ground and a nice pitch to play on. And to be honest, I quite like the fact I’ve got London away first.

“I think it alone I think it’ll show where we as a team you know to get a tough away trip early on. I think it could benefit us if we can put a good performance in and get a good win in round one.”

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