Why Liam Watts will only miss one game for Castleford Tigers despite being handed two-match ban

Liam Watts has been banned for two games for Castleford Tigers following the Disciplinary Match Review Panel’s combing through of the weekend fixtures.

Watts has been charged with a Grade B Tripping offence and so will miss the Tigers’ visit to the AJ Bell Stadium against Salford Red Devils on Friday night.

However, because Castleford have a reserves fixture arranged in the week building up to the Challenge Cup Final against Wigan Warriors, it will count towards Watts’ ban, meaning he will be free to play when Wigan come to town on Saturday 4 June live on Channel 4.

It’s good news for head coach Lee Radford who knows just how important Watts is to Castleford’s go forward.

Watts was sinbinned in the seventh minute during Castleford’s big 32-0 win over Hull KR, with the initial citation being sent by the referee Chris Kendall for a high tackle.

However, Watts has been given a two-match ban for a trip instead for the same tackle, with Radford giving his thought after the game.

“I haven’t watched it back but live it didn’t look great,” Radford said.

“I think if that was round one to six, it could have been an eight-game suspension. Now it’s probably a little tick in the box.”