Disciplinary panel to be kept busy after fervent weekend

Eight Super League players were cited yesterday, with six from one match, while Sheffield Eagles prop Liam Higgins and Leigh Centurions winger Steve Maden will undoubtedly face action after red cards for fighting in the Northern Rail Cup final.

Others threw punches during that contest so more could yet be reprimanded after an ugly few days for the sport.

Huddersfield Giants prop Larne Patrick and Castleford Tigers back-row Grant Millington exchanged blows in Sunday’s Super League game during another unsavoury brawl that saw most players involved.

Both were sin-binned and have since been charged with Grade A punching, but each has the option of submitting early guilty pleas which would avoid any suspension.

However, the worst offenders came in Friday’s explosive game between Salford City Reds and Catalan Dragons.

Ex-Castleford prop Jacob Emmitt (Grade B) and Salford team-mate Lee Jewitt (Grade A) will appear before the Rugby Football League disciplinary tribunal tonight after they were charged with punching offences.

A third Salford player, former Leeds Rhinos prop Darrell Griffin, can submit an early guilty plea to a Grade C charge of punching which could otherwise result in a three-game ban.

Catalan players Remi Casty (Grade B), Ian Henderson (Grade A) and Gregory Mounis (Grade A) have also been charged with punching and have the EGP option.

Hull KR have signed Papua New Guinea international Neville Costigan from Newcastle Knights on a two-year deal starting next season.

The ex-Brisbane Broncos forward, 28, won the NRL title with St George Illawarra in 2010 before moving to Newcastle where he linked up with current Hull KR chief Craig Sandercock.

He will add considerable class to Rovers’ pack with the impending departure of Corey Paterson.