WIDNES have turned to former Bradford Bulls coach Francis Cummins to provide continuity following the sacking of long-serving Denis Betts.

Betts, 48, who was in his eighth season with the Vikings, has paid the price for an eight-match losing run which has consigned them to bottom spot in Betfred Super League.

The former Wigan and Great Britain forward, who was contracted as head coach to the end of 2019, is the second Super League coaching casualty of 2018 following Huddersfield's decision to part company with Rick Stone in March.

Cummins, who joined Widnes as Betts' assistant last September, will take on the role of interim head coach while the club consider the appointment of a successor.

Widnes chief executive James Rule said: "Denis can be proud of his contribution to this club over the past eight years.

"Whilst it is regrettable to lose someone of his experience and commitment, we believe that it is now the right time for a change in leadership.

"Naturally, it will take time to identify and recruit a long-term successor for the role.

"However, we are grateful that Francis Cummins will be stepping up as our head coach on an interim basis.

"Francis has proven himself to be a talented, dedicated and knowledgeable coach and has earned the respect of staff and team-mates from across the club for his contribution since joining Widnes Vikings in September.

"His appointment brings stability to the team at an important stage of the season and allows us to plan for 2019, whilst offering him the chance to make his own mark on the team."

Betts, who up to last December was the last man to captain his country in a World Cup final, lost his job as England assistant coach earlier this year but is unlikely to be out of work for long.

He arrived at Widnes from a four-year spell in rugby union as skills and development coach with Gloucester in November 2010 and guided the club to promotion from the National League within two years.

The Vikings took advantage of the franchise system in operation at the time to lay down firm roots in Super League and, under Betts, they secured a top-eight finish in 2014.

However, Betts has always had to operate on a shoestring budget and, particularly badly hit by injuries, they have twice been forced to fight for survival via the Super 8s Qualifiers.

The last straw came when the team were booed from the pitch following their 19-6 home defeat by Wakefield last Friday.

Betts said: "It is with sadness that I leave the club but I feel proud of what has been achieved during my tenure and of the contributions of our players and back-office staff.

"I would like to thank everyone who I have worked alongside during my tenure at the club and all who have supported the Vikings both on and off the field.

"The club has many reasons to be positive for the future, not least the ongoing emergence of its young talent, and I give my best wishes to those who continue to lead the team in the future.

"I am looking forward to my next chapter in the game and I am grateful for the considerable experience that I have gained with Widnes Vikings."

Cummins joined the Vikings from rugby union but he has experience as a head coach in Super League with Bradford.

"It is never easy to take on a role in circumstances like these but I am ready to step up and support the team at this time," said the former Leeds winger.

"On behalf of myself, and all of the coaching, playing and back-office staff, I would like to thank Denis and wish him every success in the future."

Widnes' next match is a trip to Perpignan to take on Catalans Dragons on Saturday week.