St Helens to fight Matty Lees suspension at tribunal to free him for Wigan clash

St Helens are appealing the one-match ban handed to prop Matty Lees. The Super League champions will go to a tribunal on Tuesday evening and fight the suspension Lees was given by the Rugby Football League's disciplinary process.

The ban, handed out for a high tackle in the Saints' narrow defeat to Catalans Dragons on Saturday evening, rules him out of the Magic Weekend clash against local rivals Wigan Warriors. But Lees could yet be free to play after the Saints decided to challenge the ban.

Lees' case will be heard by the disciplinary panel on Tuesday evening. If successful, it should free him to feature in arguably the standout game of the weekend in Newcastle.

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However, recent history has shown that the panel are not adverse to increasing suspensions that have been challenged if they are deemed to be frivolous. That was the case last week when Harry Newman's initial two-match ban was increased to three.

But the Saints are determined to get Lees available this weekend, and have opted to contest the challenge from a fiery game in the south of France that saw multiple players charged.

Michael McIlorum was banned for three matches from that game, Sam Kasiano received a one-match ban while Dylan Napa is at a tribunal himself on Tuesday evening after being charged with a Grade D offence of striking.