O'Neill signs to solve two problems for Widnes

Widnes registered Julian O'Neill with minutes to spare yesterday, enabling him to make his debut against Halifax tomorrow. The 30-year-old Australian stand-off, out of favour at Wigan amid concerns about his off-field behaviour, has agreed a contract for this season and next.

He goes straight into the squad for the meeting with the side immediately above Widnes at the foot of the Super League table, and is expected to solve their problems with goal-kicking as well as at stand-off.

Widnes were anxious to have him available as soon possible but could not register him until his injured predecessor in the position, Steve Carter, agreed severance terms to free up a place on the club's overseas quota.

One problem that leaves them with is distinguishing between two Julian O'Neills, as they already have the Kiwi prop on their books.

Their other signing this week, the Doncaster winger, Marvin Golden, is not expected to be involved this weekend.

Although today's combatants, St Helens and Leeds, meet in the Challenge Cup semi-final next week, they deny that there will be any element of a phoney war about this one. "Losing to Huddersfield last weekend has mucked up our calculations,'' said the Saints coach, Ian Millward. "If I was going to rest a few guys with injuries I can't do it now, because I don't want Leeds opening up a four-point buffer.''

Unbeaten Leeds will be without Chev Walker, who has damaged a retina, but have David Furner back and give fitness tests to Chris McKenna and Ryan Bailey.

Wakefield and Huddersfield go into their game tomorrow encouraged by victories last week. Jamie Bloem makes his comeback for the Giants, while Wakefield hope to have Dallas Hood and Martyn Holland back.

London's desperate injury situation is illustrated by the presence of two wingers signed this week on loan, Austin Buchanan and Karl Long, in their side to face Castleford. The Broncos, surprise winners at Wigan last weekend, have Rob Purdham back for the injured Chris Thorman and give a debut to Jamie Fielden in the front row and the young Londoner, Alex Rowe on the bench.

For tomorrow's match at Bradford, Warrington will still do without their captain, Lee Briers, with a shoulder injury.

In the Arriva Trains Cup, Doncaster need to beat Featherstone if they are to progress to the quarter-finals and they will have to do so without the exhortations of their coach, St John Ellis. He has banned himself from the touchline following an altercation with the referee in the recent game against Keighley and will watch proceedings from the stand.