Curtis Sironen’s ban explained

Curtis Sironen was the only Super League player to be hit with a suspension this week after four outstanding Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Sironen’s St Helens defeated Catalans in a fiery and physical affair to keep their treble hopes alive whilst Wigan, Hull KR and Huddersfield joined them.

However, Sironen’s joys were short lived as he has now been given a one-match ban for a Grade A head high tackle offence meaning he’ll miss the first Saints-Wigan derby since his Super League arrival and the dress rehearsal for the Saints semi-final clash with the Warriors at Elland Road.

But why was he banned? Well turning to the minutes from the RFL’s disciplinary panel this week it seems that the tackle was deemed as “reckless” although they did take into account the fact the ball carrier dipped.

Meanwhile, teammates Mark Percival and Will Hopoate escaped bans for head high tackles with the panel deeming that original contact was made with the shoulder before sliding upwards. Likewise Mitchell Pearce escaped a ban with there being “inconclusive” evidence of contact with the head.

The only other played who was deemed to have committed an offence over the weekend was Kane Linnett who also was charged with Grade A for dangerous contact but did not receive a ban.

The minutes from the panel can be read here.