Wigan Warriors decide not to appeal Sam Walters and Harry Smith suspensions from Challenge Cup final win

Wigan Warriors have decided against appealing the suspensions issued to Sam Walters and Harry Smith following Saturday’s Challenge Cup final win over Hull KR.

The Warriors were dealt a double disciplinary blow on Monday following the Match Review Panel’s review of the weekend’s action - with Walters hit with a seven-match ban and Smith a one-match suspension.

Walters was sent off in the closing stages of Wigan’s 40-10 win over Hull KR at Wembley for a Grade F ‘dangerous throw/lift’ on Hull KR hooker Bill Leyland. The 6ft 7in forward received 35 penalty points for the Grade F charge, which takes his total penalty points to 39.5, resulting in a seven-match ban and a fine.

Walters is now set to miss the Warriors’ upcoming games against Catalans Dragons, Wakefield Trinity, York Knights, Hull FC, St Helens, Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants. He would next be available to play on July 24, when Wigan host Saints at the Brick Community Stadium.

Given the tackle on Leyland involved two Wigan players - Walters and Junior Nsemba - some had questioned why the latter had avoided a charge for his part in the tackle. It is understood that the reasoning behind only Walters being charged is that it was he who instigated the tackle in the first place, with the tackle being deemed ‘dangerous’ by the Match Review Panel.

That was a view that was ultimately given by the referee, Liam Moore, on the field at the time, and was supported by the RFL’s disciplinary process on Monday. In effect, that tackle would have still been dangerous in nature - even if Nsemba had decided not to get involved. So per the regulations, it was Walters who received the charge and seven-match ban.

Meanwhile, Smith will serve a one-match ban after being charged with a Grade B head contact offence. The England international was penalised in the first half at Wembley for a high tackle on Hull KR winger Tom Davies.

Smith has been handed three penalty points, which takes him to a total of 7.5 penalty points in the last 12 months, resulting in a one-match suspension due to going over the six-point threshold for a one-match ban. He will miss Saturday’s clash with Catalans in Paris.

Wigan had the right to appeal the panel’s verdicts on the charges to Walters and Smith - but the club have opted against doing so, thus accepting the bans.

Elsewhere, Hull KR prop Sam Luckley was dealt a Grade A late contact on the passer offence. The Scotland international received one penalty point, taking him to a total of 1.75 penalty points over the last 12 months. No further action has been taken, and with Luckley well under the six-point threshold for a ban, that means he is free to play in Hull KR’s trip to Wakefield Trinity on Saturday.

The loss of Walters and Smith are undoubtedly big blows for Matt Peet’s side, who travel over to Paris on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s historic clash with Catalans in the French capital, which celebrates the 20th year of the Dragons being in Super League, as well as 30 years since Super League kicked off in the place where it all began.