Thursday 28 April 2016 16:22, UK
Widnes boss Denis Betts has been appointed as an assistant in England head coach Wayne Bennett's backroom staff for this year's Four Nations.
Betts, who on Thursday also extended his contract as head coach at Widnes Vikings for a further three years, has been appointed by Bennett as England assistant coach.
"Denis was a wonderful player for England and as a coach he is someone who gets the best out of his players," said Bennett, who himself shares his England role with being head coach of NRL side Brisbane Broncos.
"He will be keeping an eye on the games in the UK as we start to put plans in place for the forthcoming Four Nations tournament."
There are some incredibly talented players in and around the England squad.
Betts was the last England captain to lead the side out in a World Cup final in 1995 and was capped 36 times for Great Britain and England, playing in two World Cups.
He won 13 major honours playing for Wigan and is a former Lance Todd Trophy winner and Man of Steel.
Betts said: "I am delighted that Wayne has asked me to be assistant coach for the national team.
"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.
"There are some incredibly talented players in and around the England squad and I am confident that they will be able to do their country proud in this year's Four Nations and at the World Cup next year.
"I am excited to be given the opportunity to work with them and I am looking forward to meeting up with all of the selected players in October."
Bennett, who will be travelling to the UK in June to meet with British-based players, will take in a number of Super League games and will announce his full backroom staff while he is in the country.
England begin their Four Nations campaign against New Zealand at the John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield on October 29, before taking on Scotland at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on November 5.
They will then play Australia at the stadium at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on November 13 before a possible final at Anfield in Liverpool on November 20.
Bennett added: "I'm excited to begin work with this England team.
"The venues selected for our games in the Four Nations are world class and I hope that the English fans will be out in force to support us and that we can do them proud on the field."
