Wigan Warriors player banned after being cited by disciplinary panel three times

Wigan Warriors’ prop Liam Byrne has been banned after the disciplinary panel of the rugby league world cup met today.

Byrne was cited three times and banned twice,

The two bans were due to “dangerous contact” whilst the third was for “other contrary behaviour.”

Ireland teammate and fellow prop Jaimin Jolliffe has also been suspended for one game as Ireland’s defeat to Lebanon is compounded by disciplinary.

It leaves Ireland without their first choice front rowers ahead of their final group stage clash against New Zealand.

Already needing a miracle, their need for something special has been compounded by this news.

England duo Tom Burgess and Mikolaj Oledzki escaped bans despite being placed on report.

In a statement released by the tournament today, organisers said:

Following the most recent meeting of the RLWC2021 Match Review Panel which took place on 24 October, the following sanctions have been issued:

· Tui Kamikamica (Fiji): Grade A Dangerous Contact, 1 Match Penalty Notice

· Liam Byrne (Ireland): Grade A Dangerous Contact, 1 Match Penalty Notice

· Jaimin Jolliffe (Ireland): Grade A High tackle, 1 Match Penalty Notice

· Liam Byrne (Ireland): Grade A Dangerous Contact, 1 Match Penalty Notice

The following players received cautions:

· Taniela Sadrugu (Fiji): Dangerous Contact

· Liam Byrne (Ireland): Other Contrary Behaviour

The deadline to challenge the decisions is 11am on Tuesday 25 October.