Denis Betts: Widnes Vikings head coach appointed England assistant coach

Widnes head coach Denis Betts has been appointed as England's assistant coach, while signing a new two-year contract with the Vikings.

The 46-year-old former Great Britain and England international has been in charge of Widnes since 2010.

He helped them from the Championship to Super League and they started this season with six wins from seven games.

Betts joins Wayne Bennett's backroom team with their first match in the Four Nations against New Zealand in October.

"I am delighted that Wayne has asked me to be assistant coach for the national team," said former Wigan forward Betts.

"Wayne is an iconic figure in the game and to work with and learn from someone with his experience is an opportunity I am relishing."