Chris Hill
Monday, June 12, 2017
Warrington captain Chris Hill could miss Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash against Wigan after being charged with reckless use of the shoulder.
The prop forward was sin-binned in the ninth minute of Sunday’s 36-16 defeat at Super League leaders Castleford Tigers for a shoulder charge on England team-mate Luke Gale.
Hill has the option of submitting an early guilty plea for a grade B charge of reckless use of the shoulder, which usually carries a one or two-match suspension.
If Hill submits an early guilty plea and is given a one-match ban he could then appeal that punishment and – if successful – the 29-year-old would be free to face Wigan.
The Wolves will hope the change of competition can inspire them to a winning formula after losing their last four Super League matches, sitting two points off the top eight in the table and piling the pressure on under-fire head coach Tony Smith.
Warrington team-mate Joe Westerman will be available for the cup tie at the Halliwell Jones Stadium against the Warriors despite being given a grade A charge for dangerous contact in the same match as he can also use his early guilty plea.
Leeds forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan will miss Friday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against Featherstone after the 35-year-old was given a grade B dangerous charge, which could also rule him out of next week’s home Super League match against the Tigers.
Catalans Dragons prop Sam Moa has been charged with a reckless use of striking with the shoulder charge and will receive a one or two-match ban as a result.
Jamie Acton will definitely be unavailable for Leigh’s Super League match at Widnes on Thursday, June 22 after the forward was handed a grade B charge for tripping and could also miss out on the trip to Catalans the following week.
Rangi Chase, the 2011 Man of Steel, was hit with a grade A charge for tripping during Widnes’ defeat to St Helens on Friday, while Saints prop Luke Douglas will face a grade A dangerous contact charge from the same match but he can use his early guilty plea, unlike half-back Chase.
Huddersfield prop Sam Rapira was issued a caution for raising his knee in the tackle during the Giants’ emphatic 56-12 victory at Catalans on Saturday.