Widnes Vikings chase try-scoring outside back from Championship rivals

Widnes Vikings look set to secure another former Swinton Lions player to their squad for 2025 in the shape of Whitehaven outside back Joey Romeo. Rugby League Live understands the Vikings have targeted the Australian, who coach Allan Coleman knows well from his time at the Lions.

A utility outside back, Romeo arrived in the UK last year to join the Lions having come through the ranks at North Sydney Bears. In his first season at Championship level he scored five tries in 19 games before making his way to Cumbria.

The 24-year-old has continued to score tries this year, bagging seven in 22 appearances for the struggling Cumbria club. But now a reunion with Coleman appears on the cards, with Widnes also set to sign another Whitehaven player in Jake Maizen for 2025.

Coleman is believed to have signed a number of current Swinton players for next year in the shape of Gavin Bennion and Lewis Hall while Nick Gregson, Rhodri Lloyd and Mike Butt all made the same move last year. Dec Patton, who started the season at Swinton, is expected to be a Widnes player next year too.

Widnes have had a strong first season under Coleman's watch and are on course to reach the play-offs for the first time since they were relegated to the Championship back in 2018. They are currently fourth in the table with three games to go, though just one point ahead of the next three teams, York, Featherstone and Sheffield.

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