Widnes put faith in Ferris

Widnes have filled their scrum-half vacancy for next season by signing Jason Ferris from the Australian club, Manly. Ferris, 27, has signed initially for one season and replaces Ryan Sheridan who is joining Castleford.

"Jason is a quality player and I look forward to working with him," said the Widnes coach, Neil Kelly, who has persuaded his board to back his judgement in signing the player.

In his other role as Welsh coach, Kelly has named Lee Briers as his captain for the three internationals this autumn, despite the player's absence from the Warrington side with a broken wrist. "Lee has worked hard in training to maintain his fitness," Kelly said. "He has proved himself an inspirational leader and he has my confidence as captain."

Kelly has named 17 other players for the matches against Russia and England A in the European Nations Cup and against the touring Australians, including Rob Roberts, who has been playing in Australia since being sacked by Huddersfield for a breach of club discipline at the start of the season.

The Super League champions, St Helens, do not have a single player in the Tetley's Dream Team, voted for by journalists on the basis of form.

Wigan have five players in the side, Leeds three and Bradford two. Wakefield and Warrington have representatives in the team for the first time.

The Warrington prop Mark Hilton has had his three-match suspension for a high tackle reduced to two on appeal.