WARRINGTON Wolves head coach Sam Burgess is hailing the club’s new dual-registration partnership with old foes Widnes Vikings.

The arrangement, put in place for the 2024 campaign, will give The Wire’s younger players the opportunity to gain valuable playing opportunities with Widnes in the Betfred Championship.

And the option will also be there for first-team players not selected in the Wolves Super League matchday squad to feature with Widnes.

While the two clubs have a historic rivalry in the sport, club chiefs say the priority of the partnership is to strengthen ties that will further prove beneficial for both organisations.

A similar agreement was started in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic impacted that campaign.

“This partnership is a big plus for both clubs,” said Burgess.

“We are looking forward to working with Allan Coleman and his team. The partnership will provide our players with the opportunity to gain valuable first-team experience in a highly competitive league, while supporting a great club with a fantastic tradition in the game.”

Former Swinton Lions boss Coleman was named as the new head coach at Widnes in August.

He said: “I’m really excited with the dual-registration. If you look through Warrington’s squad they’ve got some quality players and, if they’re fully fit, we’re going to be offered exceptional players.

“The club (Widnes) had spoken to a number of other teams and obviously chose to go with Warrington which is fantastic for us.

“There are a lot of similar characteristics between the two clubs. Both clubs have got new coaches, obviously with Sam’s arrival there and I’m a new arrival at Widnes. We’ve also both brought new players in so I think we mirror each other really well.

“They’ve also got a lot of young, up-and-coming players which excites me because the younger the better in my eyes.”

Warrington have had similar arrangements in the past with Switon Lions, Rochdale Hornets and North Wales Crusaders.