The teams are no strangers to each other, having already met in a pre-season fixture in mid-August.

That day, both sides turned out mixed teams which allowed both coaches to run the rule over their respective squads ahead of the new campaign.

But that was then, and this is now, and with four valuable league points on offer, a thrilling derby day contest looks in prospect.

The home team currently hold the upper hand in recent league matches with a 3:1 win ratio when both teams were in South Lancs Cheshire 1, so Widnes will have to be on top form if they have ambitions to return home with the points.

The game kicks off at 3.00pm.