Widnes Vikings sack long serving coach Denis Betts

Widnes have sacked long-serving head coach Denis Betts with immediate effect.

The 48-year-old former Wigan and Great Britain forward, who has been with the Vikings since November 2010, has paid the price for the club's dreadful start to the season.

An eighth consecutive defeat last Friday consigning them to bottom spot and favourite for a second successive wooden spoon.

Widnes said in a statement: "The club would like to put on record its thanks for his contribution, for eight seasons."