Wolves’ O’Brien loaned to Widnes

Warrington youngster Gareth O’Brien has been loaned to Super League strugglers Widnes.

O’Brien will join the Vikings for a month after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up in Warrington’s Challenge Cup tie against Swinton last season.

He had only just made his Super League debut the week before, having a starring role in the Wolves’ thrashing of Castleford Tigers.

Widnes coach Denis Betts said: “Gareth is an exciting young talent who will add both depth and quality to our squad.

“Given the consistent form of Lee Briers, Richie Myler, Stefan Ratchford and Chris Bridge, he has found his opportunities limited and I’ve no doubt he will relish the prospect of playing regular first team rugby at the Vikings.”

O’Brien becomes the third player in a week to arrive at the Stobart Stadium.

Sione Kite and Cameron Phelps arrived this week after being cleared to work in the UK. 

Neither player played in Widnes’ 36-0 defeat to Hull KR, a decision made by Betts after the pair only arrived on a day after each other.

Betts said: “Phelps and Kite came in this week, but they were sidelines saying they were glad they didn’t play this week.

“To be fair to was down to my decision. Kite got here Thursday afternoon, Phelps got here on Wednesday and they were both pretty tired and jaded.

“It would have been easy for me to say ‘it doesn’t matter, you are playing because I need you.’ But I looked at the fact that I need players on their feet competing for places. It was probably best to give them three or four days break,  and just get them warmed into training.”