Watts to power on after let-off

HULL prop Liam Watts has escaped a ban following his sending-off during the home defeat by Wigan.

Watts caught Warriors hooker Michael McIlorum high with an elbow to the face and was dismissed for the third time this year.

But he was not charged by the RFL’s disciplinary panel, who ruled the sending-off was sufficient punishment. Watts is free to play against Wakefield on Thursday.

Salford forward Craig Kopczak has been confirmed as Wales captain for this year’s World Cup in Australia. Kopczak said: “One of my best memories is leading Wales out in Cardiff in the opening game of the 2013 World Cup. “It was a huge honour and it will be great to do it WATTS again.” Widnes have signed St George Illawarra Dragons forward Will Matthews on a two-year deal from next season. SIR BEN AINSLIE and his Land Rover BAR team will have to go back to the drawing board after America’s Cup holders Emirates Team New Zealand confirmed they will defend their crown in a high-performance monohull yacht.

ETNZ and challenger of record Luna Rossa are switching from the foiling catamarans of the previous three editions to monohulls for the 36th America’s Cup in 2021, which is set to be staged in Auckland.

Team NZ hammered Oracle Team USA 7-1 in Bermuda in June to lift international sport’s oldest trophy.