The tackle that ended Michael Shenton's season
Hull KR hooker John Boudebza has been banned for four games for the tackle that ended Castleford captain Michael Shenton's season.
Boudebza was charged with a Grade B offence for the tackle on Shenton in Sunday's 16-16 draw at the KC Lightstream Stadium, with a two-game ban normally the maximum sanction.
But the Rugby Football League has used discretionary powers to amend the grading due to the aggravating factor of Shenton's season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Shenton is likely to undergo major surgery on his knee in the coming weeks, a huge loss for the Tigers to overcome from their first Super League match of 2016.
Hull KR have already announced they will appeal against the decision.
An RFL statement said: "The injury caused to Shenton was deemed an aggravating factor in this case.
"The tribunal has the discretion to step outside of the normal grading ranges in the following circumstance: If the compliance manager seeks a higher sanction in the light of specified aggravating factors and the tribunal agree that such factors mean a higher sanction should be imposed.
"An early guilty plea was available, however the match-review panel elected to withdraw this option as a serious injury was caused."
Boudebza, who pleaded not guilty, was also fined £300 and his suspension leaves Rovers without a specialised hooker - first-choice No 9 Shaun Lunt is sidelined after undergoing ankle surgery.
