Luke Gale banned again as Hull FC lose captain for a second time

Luke Gale has been banned for two matches by the RFL's Match Review Panel. Gale has been cited for a trip in the 33rd minute of Hull FC's win over Warrington Wolves.

The Black and Whites captain has been charged with Grade B reactionary or reckless tripping which will bring with it a two-match ban. Gale was not punished on the field, despite tripping being a sin-bin offence.

It means Brett Hodgson loses his main halfback for a second time, with Gale only returning to the side for four games since his last absence. He was sent-off in the opening 40 minutes of his home debut in round two and was banned for five games for a tackle and reaction to Jonny Lomax.

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Gale will now miss back-to-back home games against Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique, an undeniable blow as the Black and Whites look to pick up confidence after a recent run of defeats. Things could yet get worse for the club with Brad Fash's biting case to be heard this week, if found guilty he faces a ban between for and eight games long.

Josh Reynolds, who was dropped for the win over Warrington Wolves, is a contender to replace Gale while Ben McNamara has also impressed in his appearances this year. Joe Lovodua partnered Gale in the win over the Wire.

Elsewhere, two other players received two-match bans. Leeds Rhinos' James Bentley has been charged for a high tackle that saw him sin-binned in their defeat to Castleford Tigers, while St Helens' Curtis Sironen has also been banned for a late hit.