Widnes season-long loan for Saint Clough

Widnes have signed St Helens prop Paul Clough on a season-long loan deal.

Clough, 26, has made 189 appearances for Saints since 2005, and will link up with Denis Betts’ squad ahead of their next Super League game on Friday week.

Betts said: “We are always looking to enhance our squad and make it more competitive and my job is to develop players and make the team better. What we have recruited in Paul is a tried and tested front rower who has played in Grand Finals and Challenge Cup Finals for St Helens and he will give us a real boost.

“Saints have a really big squad and we are a little skinny and bringing in Paul will help us in that area. He’s a player with a very good work ethic and he’ll fight hard for a place here and he’s available for selection next week.”

Clough’s first team chances at Saints were limited following the signings of Mose Masoe, Kyle Amor and Alex Walmsley.