Morgan Knowles: St Helens back-rower to miss Grand Final after losing ban appeal
- Published
The independent tribunal have also fined Morgan Knowles £500 for the incident
Betfred Super League Grand Final: St Helens v Leeds Rhinos |
|---|
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 24 September Kick-off: 18:00 BST |
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Leeds & BBC Sounds, live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app; highlights at 22:50 BST on BBC One |
St Helens back-rower Morgan Knowles will miss Saturday's Super League Grand Final after losing his appeal against a two-game ban for "dangerous contact".
The 25-year-old England international was given a Grade B charge following an incident with Salford's Chris Atkin in Saturday's play-off semi-final victory.
Knowles was sin-binned for the incident at the time by referee Chris Kendall.
Meanwhile, Wigan's John Bateman has been given a three-game ban for a Grade D high tackle against Leeds on Friday.
As domestic suspensions count in internationals, the England back-rowers could miss at least one match of the autumn's rearranged Rugby League World Cup.
Bateman's suspension has come in at the lower end of the three-to-five game tariff.
St Helens face Leeds Rhinos in the Grand Final at Old Trafford, having won the League Leaders' Shield for ending the regular season top of the table.
Knowles' Saints team-mates James Roby and Jack Welsby have avoided bans following the match review panel's assessment.
Captain Roby received a caution for a 'dangerous contact' offence, while Welsby's Grade A 'high tackle' charge was given a "careless" rather than "reckless" grading and he is free to figure on Saturday.