Betts “didn’t have England contract” and is focused on winning games at Widnes

Widnes coach Denis Betts says his departure from the England set-up is no big deal and wants to focus on his club job.

It was revealed on Friday that the former Man of Steel would be leaving his role as assistant coach, which he had served during the World Cup and the 2016 Four Nations.

Later that day, Betts watched his Vikings side slump to a disappointing 28-16 home defeat against Huddersfield.

Speaking after the game, Betts said: “There’s no big deal about it. I’ve only had two conversations about it. I’ve never signed a deal in the two years, it was just do you want to do the job, yeah I do, and you turn up, it’s the way Wayne works.

“I got the job originally after a conversation with Wayne, I didn’t have a contract, I just did the job for the Four Nations and then the World Cup.

“I’ve had two fantastic years working with a great coach and a great bunch of players.

“I didn’t really anticipate it against any further myself, because I thought Wayne might step down.

“When he said he was going to keep going, I thought it was a good thing because of the momentum he’s got.

“It wasn’t something I’d been craving to do any longer to be honest, it just had to be announced because everyone wanted to know what he was doing.

“I couldn’t go away again mid-season this year, it was nice to be involved in a World Cup and it gives someone else an opportunity to spend some time with him and work with a great coach.

“I’ve done my bit, I think my next progression is to get this side winning games and be a bit further up the table and then see what happens when he decides to call it a day.”