Vikings on new alert as Celtic

WIDNES VIKINGS are watching the Celtic Crusaders saga closely - and could tell the Rugby Football League that they are ready to take their top flight place if the Welsh club doesn't receive the green light on their proposed move to Wrexham.

Originally Crusaders' plan was to move to Newport from Bridgend but there is a big cloud of uncertainty over that proposal.

Eager Co-operative Championship clubs like Widnes are keen to step into the Welsh side's shoes and make a return to Super League, but the chances of that happening remain slim despite lobbying from local Halton MP Derek Twigg.

He is angered about the idea of the Celtic club moving to Wrexham - just 32 miles from the Vikings' Stobart Stadium Halton.

Widnes and a host of other Cooperative Championship clubs, including Barrow and Halifax, are monitoring the situation.

As things stand, the RFL have yet to confirm the Crusaders' move to North Wales and have expressed wholesale colthing 'concern' so close to the new season - it gives supporters a logistical nightmare in travelling from Bridgend to Wrexham.

But having thrown its weight behind expansion into Wales it would be highly unlikely that Widnes or any other team is parachuted in.

In fact there is a possibility, at this stage unconfirmed by the RFL, that another Welsh team could be drafted into the Cooperative leagues should the Crusaders move to Wrexham - meaning two Welsh teams north and south of the border.

Celtic are not in breach of their licence by moving to Wrexham, should that happen, which pours cold water over the hope of teams like Widnes who are desperate for a Super League opportunity.

Meanwhile, Widnes will not be making a move for Warrington pair Jon Clarke and Kevin Penny.

The Vikings' current salary cap constraints will not allow the pair to move to their Cheshire rivals.

Penny starred in Widnes's Northern Rail Cup win over Barrow last season but has been a bit-part player at the Halliwell Jones Stadium since moving back to Warrington.

Clarke, the former Great Britain hooker, is still part of Tony Smith's plans and a move anywhere is off the mark.

One player who has signed for Widnes on a dual contract is centre Chris Dean, who will play for the Vikings when he is not needed by St Helens. Dean made 12 senior appearances for Saints last season.

St Helens youngster Kyle Eastmond has ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract.

The 20-year-old had one year remaining on his previous deal but had been linked to other clubs and a move to rugby union.

The Saints youth product scored 129 points in 17 appearances for Saints last season and ended the campaign as England's starting scrum-half in the Four Nations final against Australia.

Saints chief executive Tony Colquitt said: "Kyle has been with the club for a number of years and we know he has a massive future."

10:24 - 2010-Feb-24 - post comment