George Williams Receives Extended Ban, While Matty Lees Appeals Successfully

England’s rugby league captain, George Williams, will be absent from the first two Tests against Tonga due to an extended ban. This decision came after Warrington’s play-off defeat by St Helens, where Williams received a one-game ban for a shoulder charge. However, this initial suspension has now been doubled to two games.

The sequence of events began with Williams receiving the one-game ban for his involvement in a shoulder charge. Subsequently, he decided to challenge the grading of the charge. Unfortunately, the independent Operational Rules Tribunal rejected his challenge, deeming it frivolous. As a result, his ban was escalated to two games, making him ineligible for the first two Tests against Tonga.

George Williams took on the role of England captain in April 2023, succeeding his former Wigan Warriors teammate Sam Tomkins, who had stepped down following the previous year’s World Cup. Williams’ absence in the upcoming Tests will undoubtedly be a setback for the England team, as they will have to rely on other leaders to fill his position on the field.

On a contrasting note, St Helens prop Matty Lees faced a similar Grade B shoulder charge and opted to challenge the grading as well. His appeal, in contrast to Williams’, was upheld by the tribunal. Consequently, Matty Lees will now be eligible to play in the first Test against Tonga at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium on the 22nd of October.

This series of events highlights the intricacies of disciplinary procedures in rugby league and the significance of the grading of charges in determining the length of suspensions. While George Williams will miss two Tests due to his extended ban, Matty Lees has successfully appealed his grading, allowing him to represent St Helens in the upcoming Test against Tonga. These developments will undoubtedly have an impact on the composition of the respective teams and the dynamics of the Tests.