The wait is over for Widnes Vikings as they prepare to re-enter Stobart Super League but coach Denis Betts is trying to temper expectations ahead of tomorrow’s opening match against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Widnes were granted a licence for entry into Super League in March last year after six seasons in the second tier.

They have been given a guaranteed three-year tenure and Betts, the former Wigan Warriors and Great Britain forward who returned to rugby league in 2010 from Gloucester, believes it will take much of that time to become a force.

“It’s great for the town and great for the club,” he said. “Everybody’s expectations are so great.

“We’ve got a great tradition but the time away has been quite substantial and we’ve got to realise this is about building a strong foundation. We don’t want to be a flash in the pan.”
 
Betts has virtually rebuilt his squad, with no fewer than 11 new signings set to make their debuts tomorrow, and accepts it will take time for his new-look team to gel on the new artificial pitch at the Stobart Stadium.

“We can’t hang our hat on this one game,” he added. “There has been too much work gone on behind the scenes to say that this is the be-all and end-all.

“This is just the start. A lot of these lads have only played 40 or 50 minutes together.

“It will take six to 12 months to know exactly where we stand. By then we’ll have something to look back on and something to move forward with. We’re starting from the ground up.”

Wakefield’s new coach Richard Agar has been even busier in the transfer market, with 18 signings, and former St Helens forward Paul Johnson is the only member of last year’s team to make the squad for tomorrow’s opener.

The newcomers include a host of experience, however, and Betts is warning his team to expect a difficult start.

“We know they are going to bring the fight to us,” he said. “They will want to spoil the party. They are coming under the radar a little bit because all the focus has been on our pitch and us being back in Super League.”
 
Agar was stand-off in the Widnes side that gained promotion to Super League in 2002 and is delighted to see them back in the top-flight.

“I know the passion and fervour around the club and I think they’ll prove to be a worthwhile addition to the competition,” he said.

“I speak to Denis fairly regularly - we’re on the same university course - and we’ve had chats about the difficulties we face.

“But, watching them in the trials, it looks to me like he’s got them well organised. They look fit and strong and they possess some very good players.”

In tomorrow’s other game, Leeds Rhinos launch the defence of their title against Hull KR at Headingley.

While Rhinos coach Brian McDermott is able to select from full strength, leaving out Ben Jones-Bishop and Ian Kirke from his Grand Final-winning team, Rovers are without two of their most influential players in Ben Galea and Blake Green.
 
“That’s disappointing but it means two players get an opportunity they wouldn’t have got,” said new Hull KR coach Craig Sandercock. “I’m hoping those boys put their hands up and warrant their selection.

“As a team, we’re as ready as we’ll ever be. Obviously it’s not going to be easy.

“I think they’ve got 10 players that have represented their country and we have one so certainly we’re up against it. But we’ve prepared as hard as we can and hopefully we’ll be competitive.”

Michael Dobson will captain Rovers in Galea’s absence on his 100th appearance but he has some way to catch up with Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield, who will be making his 400th appearance for his club.

Sinfield, who has scored in each of Leeds’ last 41 matches going back to August 2010, says the champions will not be underestimating their injury-hit opponents.

“I expect them to be very good,” he said. “They have a new coach and new players who are going to want to impress. I’ve seen some footage from the Hull derby and they played very well. I expect a really tough game.

“It’s a great start for us being at home. I can’t wait to get the season started.”