Denis Betts returns as head coach of Widnes

Denis Betts will return to rugby league as the head coach of Widnes next season, more than four years after he resigned from Wigan to switch codes with Gloucester. The Cheshire club, who are expected to return to the Super League in 2012 when the next round of licences are awarded, confirmed tonight that the former Great Britain coach will take charge of their team in the Championship next season. He will work alongside the former coach Paul Cullen, who takes up a new role as director of rugby. "Denis Betts has considerable experience of coaching at a senior level with both Wigan Warriors and Gloucester RUFC and his decision to join the Vikings is a symbol of our determination to return to Super League and build a team of the highest quality," the Widnes chairman, Steve O'Connor, said. "The role of director of rugby is to ensure that we work hard in a strategic fashion in every aspect of our rugby operations, and have a consistent coaching policy across all our teams. I am confident that Paul Cullen has the experience to make a success of this new role and that he will play an important part in the future of our club." Betts said: "I know from my conversations with Steve O'Connor and Paul Cullen that the Vikings have very exciting plans for the development of the club. My role is to coach the first team squad and achieve a consistent level of success on the field. "It is a challenge that I relish and I look forward to working with Paul and the rest of the rugby operation to give the Vikings' fans a team they can be proud to support and a team equipped with the skills and ability required to play to the highest levels in the championship and, eventually, in the Super League."