22 Facts About Denis Betts

Denis Charles Betts was born on 14 September 1969 and is an English rugby league coach and former player.

Denis Betts is the head-coach of Wigan Warriors Women and a former assistant coach of the England national team.

Denis Betts won four caps for England and 32 for Great Britain, setting a record for a forward.

Denis Betts was born on 14 September 1969 in Salford, Lancashire and attended Clarendon High School.

Denis Betts was himself a former Manchester United youth team player.

Denis Betts signed for Wigan from Leigh Miners ARL on 14 October 1986.

Denis Betts received the Lance Todd Trophy and the coveted Man of Steel Award.

Denis Betts featured in three World Club Challenge matches for Wigan, winning two, against Penrith Panthers in 1991 and Brisbane Broncos in 1994.

Later that year Denis Betts became the first player to win both England and Great Britain caps while not playing in the English leagues.

Denis Betts was selected as vice captain for the 1996 Great Britain Lions tour of Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand, playing in all Tests against host nations at second-row.

Denis Betts returned to play in the 1998 Wigan Warriors season in Europe's Super League competition, and played in the side which lost the 1998 Challenge Cup Final to Sheffield Eagles.

Denis Betts missed Wigan's 1998 Super League Grand Final victory that year through injury.

Denis Betts scored Wigan's opening try in the last game at Central Park, and their first try at the JJB Stadium.

Denis Betts played for Wigan in their 2000 Super League Grand Final loss to St Helens, and their 2001 Grand Final loss to the Bradford Bulls.

Denis Betts was persuaded to retire from playing at the age of 32, to help Wigan get under the salary cap.

In total, Denis Betts made 32 appearances for Great Britain, the joint highest ever for a forward, and toured three times, in 1990,1992 and 1996.

Denis Betts captained England in the 1995 World Cup final, which they lost to Australia at Wembley in front of 66,540 fans.

Denis Betts then took temporary charge in May 2004 when Gregory stepped down due to illness.

Denis Betts held the position for a year before he was moved sideways by the club to make way for the appointment of new head coach Ian Millward, who had left St Helens just two weeks earlier and was recruited for his experience.

Denis Betts continued to work under Millward until the end of the 2005's Super League X but left in November after refusing to take a post as coach of the academy Under-21 team.

In November 2010, Denis Betts was appointed coach of Championship club; the Widnes Vikings.

Denis Betts was appointed assistant coach to Wayne Bennett with England in April 2016.