Eight-match ban for Catalans Dragons' Joel Tomkins - and six for Michael McIlorum - following Super League play-offs win over Leeds Rhinos

Two Catalans Dragons players have been banned for a total of 14 games following incidents in last week's defeat of Leeds Rhinos.
By Peter Smith
Published 17th Nov 2020, 20:58 BST
Updated 18th Nov 2020, 00:32 BST
Michael McIlorum. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.Michael McIlorum. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.
Michael McIlorum. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.

Second-rower Joel Tomkins was suspended for eight games and hooker Michael McIlorum will miss six.

Both players are ruled out of this Friday's Betfred Super League semi-final against St Helens and the following week's Grand Final, if Catalans get there.

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Referee Chris Kendall, who did not penalise either player, will be in charge of Thursday's semi-final between Wigan Warriors and Hull.

Joel Tomkins is tackled by Rhinos' Luke Gale and Alex Sutcliffe.Joel Tomkins is tackled by Rhinos' Luke Gale and Alex Sutcliffe.
Joel Tomkins is tackled by Rhinos' Luke Gale and Alex Sutcliffe.

Robert Hicks, the video official, does not have a referee or video assistant appointment this week, but will be reserve referee on Thursday.

The RFL's match review panel charged Tomkins with grade F 'other contrary behaviour' following a challenge on Rhinos’ Richie Myler.

He was found guilty by an operational rules tribunal following a marathon hearing on Tuesday evening and suspended for eight matches, the minimum for an offence of that grade.

He was also fined £500.

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McIlorum, who is from Leeds, was banned for two games for a high tackle on Rhinos' Brad Dwyer and four for 'other contrary behaviour'.

The match review panel had charged him with a grade F offence for "interfering with an injured opponent who was on the ground after a tackle".

He attempted to pull Brad Dwyer to his feet after Leeds' replacement hooker had been caught by a tackle across the face in the 52nd minute.

McIlorum admitted contrary behaviour, but challenged the F grading.

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The disciplinary hearing reduced the grading to D and imposed a four-game suspension.

McIlorum also pleaded guilty to the high tackle charge and challenged the grading.

The operational rules tribunal upheld the grading and doubled the one-game penalty notice issued by the match review panel.

He was also fined £500.

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Related topics:Super LeagueCatalans DragonsSt Helens

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