Widnes Vikings have swooped for another top quality young player with the signing of goal-kicking full-back Stephen Rowlands from St Helens on a one-year deal.

Widnes-born Rowlands, 18, made two appearances in St Helens first team in 2003. He also made the Lancashire Under-18s Origin side and scored a 70-yard try when the Super League Academy Under-21s defeated the National League Under-21s at Leigh.