Harlequins coach attacks Paul Sykes' lenient sentence for spear tackle

The Harlequins coach, Brian McDermott, has launched an unusually strong attack on the game's disciplinary procedures after the Bradford stand-off Paul Sykes received a two-match suspension for a spear tackle in the Bulls' 35-18 defeat at the Twickenham Stoop last Friday. Sykes, a former Harlequins player, admitted a grade C charge of a dangerous throw on Oliver Wilkes and was also fined £300. McDermott believes the offence deserves a longer suspension. "Whoever sat on that disciplinary hearing clearly does not understand what is and is not dangerous in today's game," he said. "Do we really have to wait until someone is intentionally put in a wheelchair before we stop classifying spear tackles as on a par with a mistimed head-high challenge or two men letting their emotions spill over into a punch-up? "Two of these offences will bust your lip or break a nose at worst. One will break your spine and ruin your life. However, judging by the punishment handed out last night, no one would know the difference. Where is the deterrent? "In the past maybe fear of reproof from the judiciary has kept some silent about such irregular punishments. But to keep quiet and take this without comment is wrong." Warrington have included Lee Briers and Ben Harrison in their squad for Friday's Super League derby at Wigan, which is expected to attract a 24,000 capacity crowd. Both players missed the Wolves' 54-30 win against Castleford last Sunday. Paul Wood, the prop who had to be helped out of that game with a leg injury, is also in the Wolves 19. Wigan, who are still missing Phil Bailey, Mike McIlorum, Eamon O'Carroll and Cameron Phelps, have confirmed that their home game against Huddersfield which had been scheduled for Friday 13 August has been postponed by 48 hours, because Wigan Athletic's first Premier League game of the season against Blackpool on the Saturday has been switched from Bloomfield Road to the DW Stadium. Sam Moa and Mark Calderwood return for Hull against Hull KR at the KC Stadium tomorrow night, for which a gate of well over 20,000 is guaranteed. They both missed last Saturday's 29-6 defeat at Wakefield, which has given Rovers the chance to close to within a point of Hull if they can take an eighth win in the 12th Super League derby between the old rivals. Catalans Dragons have suspended Dimitri Pelo and Setaimata Sa, the two players who were arrested and charged with affray following an incident in Leeds city centre earlier this season, for a further breach of club discipline. They will miss Saturday's game against the Crusaders in Perpignan.