Castleford prop Liam Watts has one-match ban doubled after failing appeal

Correspondent

Castleford prop Liam Watts returns from suspension this week

Castleford prop Liam Watts has had a one-match ban doubled after his appeal was described as “frivolous”.

Watts was initially suspended for one game after the Rugby Football League’s match review panel charged him with a Grade B dangerous tackle on Salford loose forward Elijah Taylor during Saturday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final.

The former Hull forward entered a guilty plea when he appeared in front of an independent operational rules tribunal on Tuesday evening but challenged the grading.

However, the tribunal found the grading to be correct and, after deciding his challenge was frivolous, doubled the suspension and fined the player £500.

Catalans Dragons front rower Gil Dudson was also unsuccessful in challenging the grading which resulted in a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle in Friday’s cup-tie with Warrington.

The tribunal decided his appeal was not frivolous and so the one-match ban remains but he was fined £500.

Warrington second-rower Jack Hughes accepted a one-match penalty notice for a Grade B dangerous tackle during the same game.

Subscribe to The Final Hooter on Apple Podcasts and get involved with the free-to-play Fantasy Rugby League 2021.

Rugby League Nostalgia is here! Get involved with Love Rugby League’s new group on Facebook to share all your rugby league nostalgia and celebrate the rich heritage of our sport.