So just weeks in to pre-season, Widnes coach Simon Finnigan and his players have been forced to down tools by the RFL.

Even though there hasn’t been a game for nine months, it’s still been an eventful few months at Widnes.

Simon Finnigan became Widnes’ fourth different coach since the departure of Denis Betts in May 2018 and will be tasked with leading the club to the Championship play-offs in 2021.

Rugby may not have the same high betting profile as football, but it is one of the most popular sports in the UK and is increasingly represented in the fast-expanding sports betting sector.