Two Championship play-off sides have confirmed two big signings ahead of the 2027 season with an NRL outside back and a former Hull KR hooker landing new clubs.

Widnes Vikings and Oldham RLFC, who faced each other twice in the 2026 Championship play-offs, have each confirmed a new recruit for next year.

The Vikings have announced that Melbourne Storm centre Liam Williams has penned an initial one-year deal with the option of a further year in 2028, with Williams’ signing a huge coup for the club.

Still only 22, Williams made 20 appearances for the Storm’s New South Wales Cup side this past season, having played in both of the club’s NRL pre-season games – scoring off the bench in one of those games.

He scored seven tries in the New South Wales Cup, a competition that has seen plenty of players make the move to Super League, including Hull KR’s first signing of 2027 Moala Graham-Taufa.

Widnes head coach Allan Coleman explained what a coup Williams was, stating: “He’s a really exciting player with bags of ability, a real natural, right-sided centre, he’s real tough and aggressive defensively whilst also offering a lot of options in attack.

“Most importantly he was very keen to come, he’s highly thought of at Melbourne Storm, and I think maybe they see him in the future, but they see it’s very important for his development to be able to come over and play in this competition.

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“I”m absolutely over the moon and I’d like to thank everybody for their hard work in getting it done.”

✍️🇦🇺 Widnes Vikings are delighted to announce the signing of Australian centre Liam Williams from Melbourne Storm.

🔗https://t.co/xx7dseaaCh pic.twitter.com/GzQ8tIvWeM

— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) September 29, 2026

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Championship play-off semi-finalists sign ex-Hull KR man Reiss Butterworth

Williams isn’t the only signing announced in the Championship today, with Oldham confirming the signing of former Hull KR hooker Reiss Butterworth.

The 27-year-old was among those to leave Sheffield Eagles at the end of the 2026 season, and he’s signed a two-year deal with the Roughyeds as he becomes their first confirmed signing.

He’d previously impressed at Dewsbury and secured a move to Hull KR before signing with Sheffield, for whom he has played the last two seasons.

Speaking on his move, Butterworth said: “Oldham are a top Championship team and that’s where I want to be playing rugby,” he said.

“It’s a really good set-up here. I’ve never played at somewhere as good as Boundary Park and I’m looking forward to it.”

Head coach Alan Kilshaw added: “I’m really pleased we have been able to secure Reiss on a long-term deal.

“We made this signing very early in the year when we were aware of the Super League interest in Cole, and when I was made aware of Reiss’ availability, the club moved quickly to secure him for 2027 and 2028.

“He’s a real competitor and has been one of the most consistent number nines in the Championship over the last few seasons.

“He has also played in and been around Super League environments, so I’m expecting him to thrive in our environment next season, sharing the hooking duties with Matty Wildie.”

Roughyeds are delighted to confirm hooker Reiss Butterworth has signed with the club on a two-year deal.

🗞️ https://t.co/zhouheDfYP pic.twitter.com/OlfgQNAdUG

— Oldham RLFC (@Roughyeds) September 29, 2026