Lawford back with big boys for Widnes debut

Dean Lawford makes his return to the big time with his first appearance for Widnes Vikings in their friendly with their Super League neighbours, Warrington, at the Halton Stadium today.

The 25-year-old half-back played in the very first Super League match for Sheffield Eagles against Paris St Germain back in 1996 and was in Leeds Rhinos' Challenge Cup final team in 2000. He slipped out of the Super League scene two years ago but, after sparking a major revival in the fortunes of Northern Ford Premiership club Batley, he has been given a fresh start in the top flight with Neil Kelly's Vikings.

Lawford is one of seven close-season signings as Kelly looks to build on a remarkable first season in Super League but the ex-London Broncos forward Shane Millard is the only other newcomer included in a 21-man squad.

Warrington, who lost 18-12 in the corresponding fixture last year, include five promising teenagers and the hooker Mark Gleeson, who recently re-signed for the club after returning from Australia.

Leeds have placed the former London Broncos utility back Peter Lupton on stand-by for the Headingley friendly with Castleford in case their new captain, Kevin Sinfield, fails a fitness test on a knee injury. Lupton was a dual-code signing from the Broncos and recently made his Zurich Premiership debut for the Tykes.

The Rhinos beat Castleford 56-12 in last year's Boxing Day challenge at Headingley and the coach, Daryl Powell, has declared that his team will once more be treating the friendly as a competitive match.