Rugby League: Betts back in Wigan squad

WIGAN will have the ideal boost for their Silk Cut Challenge Cup quarter- final against St Helens with the first appearance of Denis Betts since his return to the club.

Betts has been out since tearing shoulder muscles playing for the Auckland Warriors in last year's World Club Championship, but he has been added to the squad for Sunday - and could even start the match if Henry Paul fails a test on a calf injury.

"It's a bit of a risk playing him without previously having a game," the Wigan coach, John Monie, said. "But if you were going to take that risk with anyone, it would be with Denis Betts. He will give the other guys a lift just by being there.''

Monie's plan is that Betts should start on the bench, but he could even be promoted to the starting line-up if Paul fails to recover from his injury.

If Paul is ruled out, Monie will move his captain, Andy Farrell, to stand-off, with either Betts or the promising Lee Gilmour coming into the back row of the pack.

The other change sees the winter signing from the London Broncos, Tony Mestrov, start in the front row in place of Neil Cowie, who drops to the bench.

Cowie has been penalised for a sub-standard showing at Dewsbury in the last round.