Hastings avoids sanction for making contact with injured Bradford player

Jackson Hastings has not been charged by the RFL's Match Review Panel (MRP) after he appeared to touch injured Bradford forward Will Gardiner during St Helens' 40-10 victory over the Bulls on Saturday.

Gardiner suffered a serious concussion towards the end of the match and was carried from the field on a stretcher before he was taken to hospital.

Hastings had looked to check on the 25-year-old's wellbeing and had placed his hand on Gardiner, an obvious show of concern for the injured player.

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Thankfully, Gardiner is now recovering at home following the injury.

In Super League, it is an offence for a player to make contact or move an injured opponent, but speculation had arisen that the Saints player could be sanctioned as a result, after other players have been sanctioned for making contact with injured players throughout the 2026 season.

Semi Valemei was notably given a three-match ban after he placed St Helens' player Noah Stephens in the recovery position during Saints' 30-10 defeat by Castleford Tigers.

It means Hastings is available for selection for the derby game against Wigan Warriors during Magic Weekend.

St Helens forward Alex Walmsley, meanwhile, was handed five penalty points for a dangerous conduct charge after he was put on report for a 'chicken wing' tackle in the first 40 minutes of the match.

He was subsequently fined over the incident, while Shane Wright, who was sin-binned in the first half, was also fined after being handed five penalty points.

Pangai Jr handed huge ban after eye-gouge

Hull KR confirmed on Monday that Tevita Pangai Junior has been banned for six games after he was handed a Grade F charge by the MRP for 'gouging' a Leeds Rhinos player during the team's 34-8 loss at Headingley on Friday.

It means he will miss the side's derby match against Hull FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, as well as their return fixture at the MKM Stadium on July 23.

He will be eligible to return for the side's home game against Catalans Dragons on August 13.

The news comes as a blow for Rovers as the Tonga international has had a big impact on his side over his first three games for the club.

He signed for the Robins in May until the end of the season and made 16 tackles during their clash with Leeds.

The club could appeal the decision, and may well do so, in the hope the 30-year-old can return to cover for injured props Sauaso Sue and Sam Luckley.

Hull KR's James Batchelor was also fined by the MRP after he was given a Grade B charge for 'head contact' during the match.

Dragons lose two players ahead of Toulouse clash

Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet and Franck Maria will miss Catalans Dragons' derby match against Toulouse this weekend at the Stade Pierre-Fabre after both players were handed bans by the MRP.

During the Dragons' two-point defeat by Warrington, Aispuro-Bichet was put on report following a tackle on Wolves youngster Arron Lindop, that head coach Sam Burgess described as "very ugly".

With Lindop expected to miss six weeks of action due to the injury, Aispuro-Bichet was also handed a Grade D charge and a two-match ban.

Maria was handed a one-match ban for a Grade B charge of head contact.

York Knights centre Sam Wood was also hit with a Grade D dangerous contact charge during his side's 20-14 defeat of Castleford Tigers.

He will now be suspended for the Knights' game against Huddersfield Giants during the first day of Super League Magic Weekend.

Super League 2026 - upcoming key dates

• Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
• Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
• Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: October 3

Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+