Leeds Rhinos’ James Bentley breaks silence on his lengthy ban after hit on Gareth Widdop

Leeds Rhinos star James Bentley was one of the very first to be hit with the clampdown on foul play in Super League.

After barely 20 minutes in his boyhood club’s jersey, the former St Helens man was given his marching orders by referee Chris Kendall for a high shot on Warrington Wolves’ Gareth Widdop.

That then resulted in a four-match ban with Bentley only just now available to take to the field for the Rhinos once more.

“I’ve not been able to help the boys on the field which has been frustrating – only being able to help in training,” Bentley told the Leeds Youtube channel.

“I’m just buzzing to get back out there and do my bit for the team, get my head down and do all the hard work and the little stuff which I base my game off.”

Bentley himself had his say on the four-match ban, his playing style and how he needs to change little things here and there.

“They’ve clamped down a lot on things last year that would have been just penalties are now cards and bigger suspensions,.

“It’s frustrating as a player as I enjoy playing the game tough and hard but that’s how they’ve changed the rules so as players you have to adapt.”