John Kear makes coaching return with Widnes Vikings - but won't start for a month

John Kear is back in rugby league after being appointed as head coach of Championship strugglers Widnes Vikings from July 1 on a contract until at least the end of 2023.

The veteran coach parted company with Bradford Bulls in April and has now made a swift return to the game. He has famously won the Challenge Cup twice during his coaching career, with Sheffield Eagles in 1998 and with Hull FC in 2005, and has also coached England.

He is set to lead Wales into this year’s World Cup and replaces Simon Finnigan at the Widnes helm. Kear’s first game in charge of the Vikings will be the trip to Workington Town on Sunday, July 3, ahead of consecutive home games against Dewsbury Rams and Newcastle Thunder.

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He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. When I left Bradford I didn’t envisage returning to the game as quickly as I have but when this opportunity presented itself, and it is a great opportunity within a great club, it was just too good not to take up.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, hopefully finishing the season well and building for 2023.”