Betts set for Wigan

Rugby League

Dave Hadfield
Thursday 24 April 1997 18:02 EDT
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The Great Britain forward Denis Betts is expected to rejoin Wigan on a four-year contract, now that he has confirmed he will return to England next year.

Betts said he was leaving the Auckland Warriors after three seasons for family reasons, but with some regrets. "After a trying time at the start, I'm enjoying myself now," he said.

His return to Britain, as a free agent, was bound to interest a number of clubs. Leeds expressed an interest, but said Betts appeared to be out of their price range. Wigan plan to announce his capture next month, before a shareholders' meeting at which a disgruntled group will try to vote the club's chairman, Jack Robinson, off the board.

The Wigan prop Terry O'Connor has said a fourth defeat this season would end the club's chances of winning the Super League. The Great Britain tourist could have a new front-row partner for tonight's game against his former club, Salford, Wigan having obtained a work permit for their recent signing from Widnes, Lee Hansen.

O'Connor, the Salford prop Cliff Eccles and the St Helens stand-off Tommy Martyn, are available for Ireland's game in France next month.

The Halifax prop Kelvin Skerrett will be sidelined for at least six weeks after breaking his arm, while the utility back Asa Amone has sprung his right shoulder and is out of Halifax's Sunday visit to Oldham.

The Super League's bottom club, Castleford, whose new coach, Stuart Raper, arrived from Australia yesterday, will be without the winger, Chris Smith, for six weeks due to a knee injury.

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