Catalans Dragons’ Joel Tomkins receives eight-match ban for poking opponent’s backside

Catalans Dragons forward Joel Tomkins has received an eight-match ban after making “inappropriate contact” on Leeds’ Richie Myler.

Tomkins was referred to a Rugby Football League rules tribunal as footage from his side’s play-off match last Friday appeared to show the former England back rower putting his finger up Myler’s backside.

On Tuesday night, the panel found Tomkins, who is one appearance shy of a career 300th, guilty of “other contrary behaviour”, leading to the minimum sentence for a Grade F offence and a fine of £500.

Along with hooker Michael McIlorum, who was banned for six matches for two offences in that game, Tomkins will miss the Dragons’ semi-final against St Helens on Friday and the Grand Final a week later – if his side reach that fixture.

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French side Dragons engaged Leeds-based sports lawyer Richard Cramer to represent them at the hearings, which began at 5pm and lasted until nearly midnight.

It is unclear whether the club will appeal the decisions.

Earlier, McIlorum admitted to making a high tackle on Leeds hooker Brad Dwyer, which earned him a one-match ban. He challenged the severity of the grading, but the tribunal upheld the Grade B charge and increased the ban to two matches and imposed a £500 fine.

The Ireland international was also charged with a Grade F charge of “other contrary behaviour” after lifting an injured Dwyer up off the ground and was facing a separate ban of eight matches or more.

McIlorum pleaded guilty to the charge but succeeded in having it reduced to D, and the tribunal imposed a four-match suspension with no fine.

The loss of their first-choice hooker, who has started all but two of his team’s 16 league and cup matches in 2020, will be keenly felt by the Dragons as they bid to reach their first Grand Final.

PA