Disciplinary blows for Castleford Tigers and Hull KR, but Catalans Dragons man cleared

Namo has been suspended for five matches after being found guilty of grade E dangerous contact in last Sunday’s Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat by Wigan Warriors. He was facing at least six games on the sidelines after being accused by the RFL’s match review panel of a grade F offence, but a disciplinary hearing today (Tuesday) downgraded the charge.

Namo, who pleaded not guilty, was also fined £750. Wigan forward Willie Isa was left with a fractured and dislocated ankle after the tackle by Namo.

Catalans Dragons’ Bayley Sironen was cleared of a grade E head contact charge issued by the review panel following last Saturday’s Cup loss to Huddersfield Giants. The RFL said the disciplinary tribunal ratified the review panel’s decision to drop the charge after Dragons submitted “additional footage” of the incident.

But the tribunal upheld a grade B dangerous contact charge issued by the review panel to Hull KR’s Sauaso Sue. He was accused of a late hit in their Cup quarter-final win against Leigh Leopards last Saturday. Hull KR’s challenge to the grading was rejected so a one-match suspension stands.

Meanwhile, injury-ravaged Tigers have signed Hull KR winger Louis Senior on an initial two-week loan. The 23-year-old scored eight tries in 17 games in his first season at Craven Park but has featured just once this year.

The move reunites him with twin brother and former Huddersfield Giants team-mate Innes Senior who joined Tigers in pre-season. Castleford were reduced to 19 available players for the Cup loss to Wigan. Louis Senior could make his debut in Friday’s Betfred Super League rematch at DW Stadium.