Rugby League referee Sam Ansell retires

Rugby league has lost a second full-time referee in a week following the decision of Sam Ansell to quit the sport.

The Rugby Football League has announced that the 26-year-old, who was only promoted to the Super League list in January, is leaving to pursue other career opportunities.

Ansell's decision comes six days after Richard Silverwood announced his retirement. Both officials had been suspended for the past two months pending the outcome of an internal investigation into alleged "inappropriate behaviour".

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RFL chief operating officer Ralph Rimmer said: "Sam's been a great addition to the group of full-time referees this year and we would like to thank him for what he has contributed to the game over the last 10 years.

"We respect his decision to pursue other career opportunities and wish him the best of luck. We haven't ruled out Sam returning as a part-time match official at some point in the future."

Ansell, who quit his job as a social worker to go full-time with the RFL eight months ago, has taken charge of a number of high-profile games in the Championship, including Leigh Centurions v Bradford Bulls at the Summer Bash in Blackpool, but did not get to referee in the Super League.

The RFL has blooded a host of young referees in the Super League this year and Scott Mikalauskas will follow the likes of Jack Smith, Chris Kendall, Chris Campbell and Michael Woodhead when he takes charge of Wigan's Super 8s clash with Wakefield on Friday.

Long-serving part-time official Gareth Hewer refereed one of the Challenge Cup semi-finals last weekend.