St Helens suffer huge blow ahead of Wigan Warriors clash

St Helens forward James Bell has been banned following the latest RFL disciplinary decisions, meaning he’ll miss the derby against Wigan Warriors.

The New Zealand-born Scotland international has been in terrific form this season for Saints, being key to their charge up the table.

Bell was given a Grade B Dangerous Contact charge by the Match Review Panel, and was served a one-match Penalty Notice due to his challenge being at the higher end of the grade.

Dangerous Contact’s definition is: “Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.”

The incident took place in their 20-6 victory over Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.

The one-match ban means he’ll miss their huge Good Friday game against Wigan Warriors, which is part of Super League’s Rivals Round.

He is the only Super League player to be given a ban from the weekend’s Challenge Cup action.

James Bell has been issued a one-match penalty notice by the RFL’s Match Review Panel following last Friday night’s Betfred Challenge Cup Sixth Round match against Leeds Rhinos.

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 25, 2024

Wigan’s Adam Keighran was given a Grade B Head Contact charge, but escaped with a £240 fine, meaning he’ll be free to play the game that Bell is missing.

St Helens could appeal the charge.

Super League Disciplinary Charges in full

Following Round Six of the Betfred Challenge Cup, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

James Bell (St Helens) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice (Higher end of the grade)
Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
Alex Mellor (Castleford Tigers) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
Brad Day (Featherstone Rovers) – Grade C Head Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
MacKenzie Yei (Featherstone Rovers) – Grade E Dangerous Lift/Throw – Refer to Tribunal
Gadwin Springer (Featherstone Rovers) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £125 Fine
Ben Kavanagh (Halifax Panthers) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £125 Fine
Adam Keighran (Wigan Warriors) – Grade B Head Contact – £240 Fine
Izaac Farrell (Sheffield Eagles) – Grade C Dangerous Throw/Lift – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Cade Cust (Salford Red Devils) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine

MacKenzie Yei’s Tribunal will be heard on Tuesday 2nd April and, if accepted, Izaac Farrell’s one-match suspension will commence from midnight on Tuesday 2nd April.