Widnes use Betts match to test stand-off trialist

Widnes will field an unnamed trialist in their problem position of stand-off for at least part of tonight's testimonial match for Denis Betts. The Vikings are desperate for a No 6 following Craig Weston's return to Australia to look after his sick mother and Steve Carter's ankle reconstruction.

The trialist, who is contracted to a rugby union club, is likely to start on the bench against Wigan at the JJB Stadium, but will get a chance to show what he can do. However, Widnes have been forced to scrap their plans to sign the Pretoria Bulls winger Giscard Pieters because only full Springbok internationals qualify for work permits.

Betts is coming out of retirement for one night only tonight after giving up playing to join the Wigan coaching staff at the end of the 2001 season. Andy Farrell and Adrian Lam will be missing from Wigan's team as they are with England in Sydney and Papaya New Guinea for the World Sevens. Craig Smith and Brett Dallas are injured, but Terry O'Connor could allay fears about his fitness by playing part of the game.

St Helens have put in an official request to play their Challenge Cup tie in France against Union Treiziste Catalane on Friday 7 February rather than the following Sunday.

Their coach, Ian Millward, wants to give them the longest possible time to prepare for their World Club Challenge against the Sydney City Roosters on 14 February. The Rugby League will have no objection to that switch, but the decision rests with Union Treiziste.

The Bradford captain Robbie Paul believes that Shontayne Hape will be the key to releasing Lesley Vainikolo's potential in his second season with the Bradford Bulls.

Vainikolo, hampered by injuries, struggled to live up to his billing in his first year, but Paul says that Hape, the 21-year-old new centre signing from New Zealand, could make all the difference. "He will be one of the keys to opening up Lesley,'' said Paul. "In their first run together in the friendly at Castleford, Shontayne was giving him the ball early which gives him the opportunity to do what he does best – carrying the ball in space.''

Bulls' hooker James Lowes says he will make their other close season signing, Karl Pratt, wait to take over from him. ''This is my last season, but my aim is to start it and finish it as first choice hooker,'' said Lowes.