THE sending-off of Hull FC’s Nu Brown against Warrington Wolves on Friday night has prompted a clarification around head-on-head contacts from the RFL.

The New Zealander has not been charged by this week’s Match Review Panel following his highly contentious red card just before half time in Round Two, with The Wire going on to win 36-10.

The governing body says the head contact framework will be amended, admitting the “lack of clarity” around the laws put match referee Marcus Griffiths and video referee Liam Moore in an “invidious position.”

Following a seemingly innocuous challenge involving Brown, Wire’s Ben Currie emerged with a cut above his right eye with replays showing it was a result of accidental contact with the head of Brown, who was part of the tackle.

To the astonishment of everyone inside The Halliwell Jones Stadium and all watching at home, Brown was sent off, sparking a furious reaction.

From now on, rules relating to head-on-head contact will only apply to initial contact with referees encouraged to “use their knowledge and game management” to mitigate.

“We are in the very early stages of the season at all levels having introduced significant changes as recommended by the sport’s Brain Health Sub-Committee, and in that regard we thank the players and coaches for their response,” RFL director of operations and former Super League referee Robert Hicks said.

“Comparing Round Two of the Betfred Super League to the opening round, there has been a significant reduction in the number of charges, reflecting a significant change in player behaviour – with a tiny proportion of over 3,000 tackle events leading to charges for head contact.

“It has been a similar story through the early rounds of the Betfred Challenge Cup and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup.

“However, we have acknowledged throughout this process that it would be challenging for all, and that as a governing body we need to be flexible, and sympathetic to those at the sharp end.

“The dismissal of Nu Brown at Warrington on Friday night was an uncomfortable moment for the sport, and it has highlighted a lack of clarity in the wording of the framework as followed by match officials on the night.

“We recognise this will be of little consolation to the player or his club – and we thank them for their measured response.

“Head-to-head contact was an area highlighted as especially important by the Brain Health Sub-Committee, given the impact on two players, so it will remain a focus of the framework, and will continue to be sanctioned – specific to initial contact.

“The meetings with head coaches and senior players this week are another opportunity to update and consult, given the importance of communication through this process.”

Three suspensions from Round Two matches

No Warrington Wolves players have received charges following Friday's game, meaning winger Josh Thewlis and hooker Sam Powell can breath sighs of relief.

Powell was sin-binned in the second half for a high tackle while the try-saving challenge Thewlis made on Hull's Liam Sutcliffe appeared to show him making initial contact with the head, but both incidents have been cleared by the Match Review Panel.

There has been one ban handed out as a result of the match, with Sutcliffe set to miss two matches and pay a £250 fine for Grade D "contact with the match official."

The other two bans go to Leeds Rhinos pair Sam Lisone (three matches, Grade D head contact) and James Donaldson (two matches, Grade D head contact)