Rhinos ace Ablett hit appeals three-match ban

LEEDS RHINOS' Carl Ablett has lodged an appeal against the severity of the three-match ban which has ruled him out of Saturday's Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens.

By The Newsroom

Published 4th Aug 2010, 13:32 BST

Updated 4th Aug 2010, 15:42 BST

He was found guilty of recklessly striking Wigan's Sam Tomkins with the forearm and was also fined 300 at an RFL disciplinry yesterday evening.

But Leeds today confirmed they will appeal and a tribunal will be held at Red Hall tomorrow afternoon.

If unsuccessful, as well as sitting out the semi-final, Ablett, 24, will be forced to miss Leeds' next two League matches against Castleford and Catalans Dragons but will be free to play in the Cup final at Wembley on August 29 if the Rhinos do get there.

Leeds are already short of back-row options with Ali Lauitiiti, Ian Kirke and Greg Eastwood sidelined through injury but the return of

scrum half Rob Burrow allows Brian McClennan to switch skipper Kevin Sinfield to his more familiar position of loose forward.

Rhinos Leeds Rhinos St Helens Leeds Kevin Sinfield Rob Burrow Wembley