Wigan Warriors see Ethan Havard ban upheld as extra punishment confirmed

Wigan Warriors have had their appeal against the ban for Ethan Havard heard with the club unsuccessful in overturning the charge, meaning the forward will miss Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens.

The England international had been handed a one-match ban following round ten of Super League with that suspension ruling him out of this Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash.

Havard had been handed a Grade B charge which, when added to his prior penalty points, took him over the 6-point threshold, thus resulting in a ban.

Wigan Warriors appealed the decision at tonight’s Operational Rules Tribunal in an attempt to free the prop forward for Saturday’s crunch Challenge Cup tie.

Since the new disciplinary system was implemented at the start of the 2025 season, appeals against bans have been rare in part due to the five-point penalty charge handed down to players who are unsuccessful in their appeal.

Havard has now had five extra penalty points added to his record after the failed appeal with tonight’s decision meaning that Matt Peet will have to change it up at prop with Havard set to miss out, however, he will be free to play in round 11 of Super League against Leeds Rhinos.

A statement from the RFL confirmed: “Wigan Warriors’ Ethan Havard has been unsuccessful in his challenge of a Grade B Head Contact charge.

“The player pleaded guilty but challenged the grading. A tribunal found the grading to be correct.

“Harvard’s one match suspension and three penalty points remain. An additional five penalty points are added taking him to 11.5 points. Havard is also fined £1,000 and Wigan have lost their appeal bond.”

Havard had been one of three players to be banned with Hull FC’s Amir Bourouh and Bradford Bulls’ Mitch Souter both also suspended, the latter for two matches.

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