Wednesday 21 September 2016 10:31, UK
Wigan prop Ben Flower has been banned for two games, meaning he will only play again this season if they reach the Grand Final.
The Wales international, who has been included in his country's initial 29-man squad for next month's 2017 World Cup qualifiers, was suspended on Tuesday after admitting a reckless tackle.
Flower will serve the suspension when Wigan finish their regular season against Catalans Dragons at the DW Stadium on Friday and in the semi-finals a week later, but will be free to return for the title decider at Old Trafford on October 8 if the Warriors get there.
Flower was sent off - for the first time since his dismissal in the opening stages of the 2014 Grand Final - for a late and high tackle on Wolves half-back Declan Patton during his side's 35-28 win at Warrington last Friday.
Although Wigan coach Shaun Wane insisted the tackle was clumsy and Warrington boss Tony Smith claimed the red card was harsh, the Rugby Football League's match-review panel decided Flower's actions were reckless because he used his forearm or elbow to strike Patton.
The RFL stated that at an independent disciplinary tribunal, Flower "pleaded guilty to a reckless grade C strike with the elbow on Declan Patton in the 57th minute of the game against Warrington Wolves - he received a two-match ban plus £300 fine."
It was Flower's first appearance at the RFL headquarters at Red Hall, Leeds, since he was given a six-month ban for punching Lance Hohaia at Old Trafford nearly two years ago.
Wigan are still waiting to hear if back-row forward Willie Isa will be punished for the two-fingered salute he delivered to Warrington fans during last Friday's game.
Isa subsequently issued an apology on his Twitter account, saying he acted in the "heat of the moment", but a spokesman for the RFL confirmed it is looking into the incident.
Meanwhile, Widnes captain Kevin Brown will sit out his club's last match of the season at Castleford on Sunday after pleading guilty to punching.
Brown, who was sent off for the offence during his side's 21-8 home defeat by St Helens last Sunday, was given a one-match ban and a £300 fine, the RFL announced.
St Helens second-rower Joe Greenwood submitted an early-guilty plea to a similar grade A charge and was told he faces no further action, clearing him to play in Friday's home game against Wakefield.
