WIDNES Vikings have appointed Francis Cummins as Assistant Coach.

Cummins has worked at the highest levels of Rugby League throughout a 25-year professional career in the game.

As a player, Francis represented Leeds Rhinos from 1993 to 2005, playing 358 games for the club. In a distinguished career that saw him represent Great Britain, England and Ireland, the outside back won Grand Final, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge honours.

After retiring from the game, he went on to spend four years as assistant Coach of Leeds Rhinos, working with Tony Smith and Brian McClennan. In 2010, he became Assistant Coach of Bradford Bulls, rising to Head Coach in 2012.

In 2016, he joined Rugby Union team Doncaster Knights as their Outside Backs and Skills Coach, supporting them to reach playoff positions.

Denis Betts, Head Coach of Widnes Vikings said: “Francis has great experience as a player and a coach, and will enhance us as a group.

"He has worked hard within coaching for many years, proving his abilities in tough environments.

"It was important for me to find a coach who has played at the highest levels as an outside back, and can relate well to our players in these positions.

"This appointment makes our coaching team stronger and I am looking forward to working alongside Francis next season.”

Cummins said: “I’m delighted to be joining Widnes Vikings and to be back in Rugby League. Widnes Vikings are a great club and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with their players next season.

"As a coach, I like to see the potential in players and to encourage them to express themselves on the field.

"I’m looking forward to using the experience from my playing career and my twelve years in coaching to support the progress of the Vikings, alongside Denis and the coaching team.”