St Helens suspend Kyle Eastmond for 'serious misconduct'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.St Helens have suspended Bath-bound half-back Kyle Eastmond pending an investigation into alleged serious misconduct.
Saints have not divulged the nature of the incident but it seems certain to hasten his departure from the Super League club.
Today's revelation comes just two weeks after the 21-year-old confirmed his intention to switch codes at the season, when his current contract expires.
Eastmond has signed a three-year deal with Bath from November but may now be freed to join up with the Premiership club early.
A statement said: "St Helens RFC have announced that Kyle Eastmond has been suspended pending an investigation into serious misconduct.
"No further comment will be made until completion of the investigation."
The Oldham-born Eastmond, who joined St Helens as a youngster, burst onto the scene in spectacular fashion in 2009, playing a key role in St Helens' march to the Grand Final and impressing for England in their Four Nations campaign.
That form prompted Saints to allow the long-serving Sean Long and rival scrum-half Matty Smith to leave the club and hand Eastmond the number seven jersey for 2010.
However, he suffered an injury-disrupted season last year and missed the Four Nations Series as well as October's Grand Final with ankle problems that required surgery.
Eastmond made a quicker-than-expected recovery and has played in all five of his club's Super League matches so far this season but his form has been poor.
The writing was on the wall when he was forced to apologise to the club's fans for snubbing them at the end of Saints' home defeat by Warrington last month.
St Helens coach Royce Simmons will have to find a new scrum-half for Saturday's trip to Leeds, with Gary Wheeler expected to get the nod.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments