Defence is key for Rams and Widnes

Elliott Hodgson could make his Dewsbury Rams debut after agreeing a dual-registration deal from Huddersfield Giants.

Hodgson, who until recently had been part of a dual-registration contract with Batley, is likely to come straight into Warren Jowitt’s plans for Sunday’s match with Widnes Vikings.

Jowitt said: “Scott Turner has been doing a great job at full-back, but having Elliott there strengthens the whole side because other players can go back to their best positions.”

Jowitt says his main focus ahead of the Vikings clash is improving Dewsbury’s defence.

The Rams have conceded an average of 28 points in each of their seven Co-operative Championship fixtures this term.

Jowitt said: “We’ve got to get our defence right. We’re a very good defensive team, but we’re not showing it at the moment.

“We’re scoring points – that isn’t a problem – but our priority now is stopping them at the other end.”

He added: “Widnes have been doing OK. They’ll be coming here full of confidence, thinking they can scalp us.”

Vikings coach Denis Betts this week agreed a new two-year extension to his current contract, tying him to the club until the end of 2013 at least.

The news came three days after Widnes won 62-18 at London Skolars, although Betts insisted his side would look at their defensive attitude after conceding three tries against the Co-operative Championship One side.

He said: “It’s something we need to look at, because I think it was more a lack of focus than anything else.”