Wigan Warriors play Hull KR in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday, but have been dealt a huge blow by the Match Review Panel ahead of that clash in further Super League disciplinary controversy.
The Warriors defeated Huddersfield Giants by a huge 48 points to 6 in Round Eleven of the Super League, and should have been going into their semi-final in high spirits.
Liam Marshall had a hat-trick, while Bevan French and Abbas Miski both scored two.
However, they had to weather a potential storm when they were down to twelve men after the very first tackle of the match.
They’ve become the latest team to be embroiled in disciplinary drama this season.
Wigan Warriors man handed ban
Credit: Imago Images
After just ten seconds of the game, Liam Byrne’s tackle was penalised.
The officating team, Aaron Moore and Jack Smith, deemed it worthy of a yellow card at the time, leaving Wigan short-handed right near the start of the game.
It didn’t, however, seen to affect the side too much.
After the match, head coach Matt Peet said he expected Byrne to be available for the Challenge Cup fixture this weekend.
However, Byrne has been handed a Grade C Head Contact charge, and as he’s at the higher end of the sanction grade, due to picking up a ban earlier this season, he’ll miss their next two fixtures, including a game that could secure their place at the Wembley final.
Elsewhere, Saints winger Tommy Makinson, who was sent off against Castleford Tigers, also picked up a Grade C Head Contact charge, but as this is his first such offence this season, he’ll miss just one game.
In addition, Liam Horne, sent off in the same game for Castleford Tigers, will miss one game due to a Grade C Dangerous Throw/Lift charge.
