MCLLORUM AND TOMKINS FACE BANS

CATALANS Dragons forwards Michael Mcilorum and Joel Tomkins are both facing the threat of bans lasting eight matches or more following their team’s controversial Super League play-off win over Leeds Rhinos.

Hooker Mcilorum has already been ruled out of the Dragons’ semi-final against St Helens on Friday after being given a one-match suspension for a high tackle on Brad Dwyer in last Friday’s 26-14 win over the Rhinos at Warrington.

But he could also be forced to miss a chunk of the 2021 season after appearing to pick Dwyer up off the ground while he was still injured.

That has brought a charge of “other contrary behaviour” from the Rugby Football League’s match review panel, a Grade F offence which normally carries a ban of eight-plus matches.

The same charge has been levelled at back-row forward Joel Tomkins, who appeared to make “inappropriate” contact with Leeds full-back Richie Myler later in the game.

The incident sparked a furious outburst from Myler but referee Chris Kendall ordered play to continue after asking the Leeds player if he wanted to make a complaint.

Catalans coach Steve Mcnamara told the post-match press conference he was unconcerned over any disciplinary repercussions but both players, who are former Wigan team-mates, were referred to a tribunal which is expected to sit tonight.

Of the Tomkins incident, Mcnamara said: “You saw what I saw on the screen, there is nothing in that.

“And in terms of Michael Mcilorum, I just got asked on Sky about the incidents, which I was not sure what they were talking about.

“If you are talking about that then, well, this is not semi-final football without maybe a high tackle so, for me, I have no concerns.”