‘Electrifying’ Wigan Warriors young gun makes Championship move

Ben Olawumi
The Brick Community Stadium, Wigan

The Brick Community Stadium, the home of Wigan Warriors

Highly-rated Wigan Warriors youngster Noah Hodkinson has joined Championship outfit Widnes on an initial two-week loan deal.

Full-back Hodkinson, who first joined Wigan at scholarship level back in 2021, caught the eye in last year’s Academy Grand Final against rivals St Helens.

Scoring a try at the Totally Wicked Stadium, he helped the Cherry and Whites’ youngsters to claim their first title at Academy level since 2019.

Having gone on to impress at first-team level back at Wigan during pre-season, the teenager will now get the opportunity to make his first official senior appearance with Widnes.

The Vikings beat Toulouse Olympique over in France at the Stade Ernest-Wallon in their season opener last weekend, and host Sheffield Eagles at the DCBL Stadium on Sunday (February 23) in their first home game of the 2025 Championship campaign.

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‘Electrifying’ Wigan Warriors young gun makes Championship move

Bolton-born Hodkinson, who turned 19 in November, featured at junior level for both Hindley ARLFC and Leigh Miners Rangers.

And it’s with the Miners where Widnes head coach Allan Coleman – who hails from Leigh – first came into contact with the starlet.

In the club’s press release announcing Hodkinson’s arrival, Coleman detailed: “Noah is a talented young lad, I’ve followed him since he was 10/11 years-old down at Leigh Miners.

“He is very highly rated at Wigan. He played against Oldham in a friendly a few weeks ago, a game that I attended, and he caused so many problems.

“He’s got electrifying pace, he’s very brave and just really plays on the front foot.

“I’m really excited to get him on board and I think straight away, people will see what he brings to the team.”

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