Jon Wilkin says James Bentley “was almost reckless” as he suffers brutal head clash

Leeds Rhinos routinely found themselves behind the eight ball against Wigan Warriors.

It all started when Leeds were behind and the Rhinos then found themselves without a star man in the shape of second-row James Bentley.

It was a brutal moment as the second-row chased a kick with tremendous effort and tenacity but as he looked to be the first to tackle Abbas Miski as he caught it, Bentley clashed heads with the winger in a brutal clash which saw Bentley instantly out cold.

His legs buckled and he fell to the ground. Though he instantly regained consciousness it was inevitable that he went off the field replaced by Morgan Gannon, a player who knows all about head knocks sadly.

As the Sky Sports pundits praised Bentley for his tenacity, Jon Wilkin also said that it was “almost reckless” from Bentley.

He said: “That’s a head clash. It’s almost reckless the way he goes into contact. It’s almost reckless.”

Meanwhile, former Leeds Rhinos man Barrie McDermott said: “It doesn’t matter how long your lights are out, you have to go off. I am sure Bentley made his best case to the medical staff but those tricks don’t work anymore.”

Bentley was then ruled out for the rest of the game.