Finnigan out for the season

Widnes forward Simon Finnigan has been ruled out for the rest of the season, after picking up an injury in Monday’s defeat at Castleford.

Finnigan, 30, was stretchered off in the opening minutes of the 36-12 defeat at Castleford, and becomes the fourth Vikings player to be ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

He tweeted: “Not a good day season over for me absolutely gutted is an understatement.”

Struggling Widnes, who are bottom with just two wins from 13 games, have already lost forward Ben Kavanagh and hookers Thomas Coyle and Anthony Watts, who was released by the club yesterday.

Vice-captain Shaun Briscoe has also struggled with injury, and was expected to have an operation today.

It is yet another blow for coach Denis Betts, who hasn’t had a full quota of players to pick from since the season started.

Warrington-born Finnigan spent his childhood in Australia before first signing for Widnes in 2003, making 70 appearances in Super League for the Vikings, before spells at Salford, Bradford and Huddersfield.

He returned to Widnes at the start of last season, spending a season in the Championship as the Vikings waited for their return to the top flight.