Hay hurt at heading Wigan's discard list

The Widnes captain, Andy Hay, heads the list of those shown the exit at Widnes after their successful fight against relegation.

The Widnes captain, Andy Hay, heads the list of those shown the exit at Widnes after their successful fight against relegation.

The 31-year-old former Great Britain forward, previously with Castleford, Sheffield and Leeds, has been told that he is not wanted for next season and is making no secret of his disappointment.

"After helping the club to stay up, I obviously thought I would be here next year," he said yesterday. "To be treated like this very disappointing. It came as a surprise when they told me and, to be honest, I'm gutted."

Also leaving is the former Brisbane and Wigan stand-off Jules O'Neill, who is joining the French rugby union side, Pau, on a three-year contract.

On their way out as well at the Halton Stadium after not being retained are the Cumbrian forward Steve McCurrie and the Australian centre Dion Bird.

On top of that, Paul Atcheson is to retire, Paul Devlin is switching to rugby union with Munster and Troy Wozniak is expected to return to Australia.

Widnes have already signed the Wigan pair, Terry O'Connor and Mick Cassidy, for next season and there are more recruits in the pipeline.

Their local Halton Council is investing £200,000 in the club and building is to go ahead on a new stand, bringing its capacity up to 13,500.

Wigan have denied any intention of signing Warrington's scrum-half, Nathan Wood. The Australian still has one year left on his contract with the Wolves and the Wigan chairman, Maurice Lindsay, said: "We will not be paying any transfer fees."

Lindsay has also turned down an opportunity to sign the New Zealand Warriors scrum-half, Thomas Leuluai, and insists that they will run with what they already have next season.

Warrington had three players undergo shoulder surgery yesterday. Mark Gleeson, Gary Hulse and Paul Wood all had operations. Lee Briers will have surgery on a finger next week.

The League Leaders, Leeds, dominate the Dream Team, selected on this season's performances in Super League, with five players named. Marcus Bai, Keith Senior, Danny McGuire, Matt Diskin and Ali Lauitiiti are all included. Hull are next best with three. Wakefield's charge to the play-offs has seen Sid Domic and David Solomona earn selection, but Wigan, St Helens and Bradford have just one each, Wigan's being the Great Britain captain and loose forward, Andy Farrell, named at prop.