Rugby League: Westwood hit with five-match ban

Page last updated at 22:16 GMT, Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Sport Feeds RSS feed

BBC Sport Top Stories

WARRINGTON Westwood hit with five-match ban Warrington forward Ben Westwood lands a five-match ban for a high tackle that laid out former Australian Test forward Dane Carlaw.

Westwood hit with five-match ban:

Westwood has a contract with the Wolves until 2011 Warrington forward Ben Westwood has been handed a five-match ban for a high tackle that laid out former Australian Test forward Dane Carlaw. The England second rower was placed on report by referee Jason Robinson for the challenge during the Wolves' 40-20 home defeat by Catalans Dragons. Westwood, 27, appeared before the Rugby Football Union Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday and was also fined £300. He will not be available until the Challenge Cup fourth round in April. Catalans second rower Jamal Fakir was also banned for one-match after an incident in the same game. Fakir was given the ban and a £300 fine for a high tackle on Warrington captain Adrian Morley. Westwood's suspension is the second major blow for the Wolves in 24 hours as they seek to end a run of seven consecutive defeats going back to last August. Former Hull prop Garreth Carvell has been ruled out for a lengthy period after he damaged knee ligaments on his home debut. "We're still waiting on the final scan results but it looks like he won't be featuring for us for the next few weeks," said coach James Lowes. "He had the scan yesterday (Monday) and we're waiting for the specialist to get back to us." The Wolves are also without long-term casualties Paul Johnson and Stuart Reardon for Friday's trip to Wakefield but are confident that captain Adrian Morley will be fit, despite taking a heavy blow to the head against the Catalans. Hooker Jon Clarke will also be included in Lowes' 19-man squad after completing his recovery from shoulder surgery.