A cruncher, headbutt & cannonball RUGBY LEAGUE

TACKLES PROBED BY REVIEW PANEL

HULL FC captain Gareth Ellis could miss Friday’s crunch clash with Wigan after his controversial crusher tackle at Leeds.

Ellis (above) was sin-binned for the incident on Leeds’ opposite number Stevie Ward and has been handed a grade B dangerous contact charge.

Ellis’ offence – which sees a player putting undue pressure on the neck of an opponent, forcing his chin into his chest – carries a maximum twomatch suspension, although it would be reduced to one with an early guilty plea.

Hull winger Steve Michaels has been handed the same grade charge for striking with the shoulder against Leeds and could also miss the Wigan match.

With opposite winger Fetuli Talanoa ruled out with an arm injury, coach Lee Radford’s options in the outside backs will be stretched ahead of a game they need to win to preserve their top-four spot. Rhinos’ scrum-half Rob Burrow (below) was also handed a grade B headbutt charge from the same match. But there will be no further action against Wigan back-rower Willie Isa after he was placed on report for an alleged cannonball tackle – attacking the knees of a prone opponent – against St Helens’ Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook. After the match Saints coach Justin Holbrook said: “If that isn’t a dangerous tackle, what is? It is the most horrible thing for a fan to watch. “If I am a mum or dad would I let my kid play rugby if that is not a penalty?” But the match review panel decided the tackle was: “Not reckless and does not use excessive force.” Catalans could be without Greg Bird for their Qualifiers relegation scrap after he was handed a grade D charge for a dangerous throw in the win at Halifax.