JORDY Crowther is set to miss Warrington Wolves' Round Two clash with Hull FC after being hit with a ban by the Match Review Panel.

The Wire forward is one of several players suspended for incidents during Round One, which saw 13 cards dished out across the six matches as referees clamp down on contacts to the head.

One of those cards was a yellow for Crowther in the later stages of Saturday's 16-10 loss to Catalans Dragons in Perpignan after his off-the-ball hit on Dragons prop Julian Bousquet was deemed worthy of a sin-binning by referee Chris Kendall.

Upon further examination, the MRP have issued a one-match penalty notice to Crowther with a Grade C charge of "other contrary behaviour" and he is now set to miss his side's first Super League home game of the season.

However, The Wire retain the right to appeal the penalty notice at an Operational Rules Tribunal hearing tomorrow.

No other Wire players have been hit with charges, but other sides including their Round Two opponents are not so lucky.

Hull FC forwards hit with bans

Hull FC are set to be without three forwards through suspension for their trip to The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

After both players were sent off in their derby loss to Hull KR on Thursday, Ligi Sao has been handed a three-match ban and a £250 fine while Franklin Pele is facing a lengthy suspension - his head contact offence has been deemed Grade E, meaning he must face the Operational Rules Tribunal tomorrow evening.

Herman Ese'ese is also set to miss Friday's game after his Grade D head contact charge was deemed worthy of a two-match penalty notice.

McIlorum could face lengthy ban for shoulder charge

Catalans hooker Michael McIlorum will join Pele at the hearing tomorrow after the shoulder charge that saw him sent off against The Wire on Saturday was ruled a Grade E head contact offence.

McIlorum's shoulder made contact with the head of Wolves prop Joe Philbin and he was duly sent off by referee Kendall.

There is also a two-match penalty notice coming the way of Dragons forward Paul Seguier - he has been charged with Grade D head contact following an incident in the game's closing stages.

'Important to provide context'

Former Super League referee Robert Hicks, who is now the RFL's director of operations and legal, admits the number of cards issued in Round One has become "a talking point" among players, coaches, fans and the media alike.

However, he has attempted to provide the rationale to the MRP's findings.

“As we have outlined in various forums in the build-up to the Betfred Super League season, there have been a number of changes to the Head Contact Sanctioning Framework for 2024 – and Match Officials and the Match Review Panel share the responsibility for implementing these changes," he said.

“The number of yellow and red cards shown in the opening round of the Betfred Super League has already become a talking point, and doubtless the number of charges arising from the MRP meeting will be similar – but it is important to provide some context.

“Of the 13 cards shown, 10 of the incidents would have led to a card being shown under the framework that applied in 2023.

“One area which has made a difference is in head-on-head contact, and the responsibility of attacking and tackling players in this area.

“Just as the sport should be grateful to the commitment of Match Officials and the MRP in implementing change at such a pivotal period for the sport, we also reiterate our gratitude to clubs, coaches and players for their positive approach over recent months.

“It was a highly successful opening round of Betfred Super League fixtures, and it is right that the focus is already turning to the second round of matches, and also the Betfred World Club Challenge.”

Super League Round One Match Review Panel charges

Herman Ese’Ese (Hull FC) – Grade D Head Contact – 2 Match Penalty Notice & £250 Fine

Jayden Okunbor (Hull FC) – Grade B Dangerous Contact - £250 Fine

Franklin Pele (Hull FC) – Grade E Head Contact – Refer to Tribunal

Matt Parcell (Hull KR) – Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour – 1 Match Penalty Notice

Ligi Sao (Hull FC) – Grade D Other Contrary Behaviour – 3 Match Penalty Notice & £250 Fine

Tom Amone (Leigh Leopards) – Grade C Head Contact – 2 Match Penalty Notice

Jack Hughes (Leigh Leopards) – Grade B Dangerous Contact - £250 Fine

Ricky Leutele (Leigh Leopards) – Grade B Head Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice

Zak Hardaker (Leigh Leopards) – Grade B Dangerous Contact - £250 Fine

Ryan Brierley (Salford Red Devils) – Grade C Head Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice

Charbel Tasipale (Castleford Tigers) – Grade C Head Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice

Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors) – Grade B Dangerous Throw/Lift - £250 Fine

Liam Watts (Castleford Tigers) – Grade E Head Contact – Refer to Tribunal

Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons) – Grade E Head Contact – Refer to Tribunal

Jordan Crowther (Warrington Wolves) – Grade C Other Contrary Behaviour – 1 Match Penalty Notice

Paul Seguier (Catalans Dragons) – Grade D Head Contact – 2 Match Penalty Notice and £250 Fine