If Princess Sam was involved, it'd be a different matter altogether.

That's only for the player on the receiving end of the malicious tackle, in this case. So the O'Brien sub did not count for us.

That's what I thought, but he was going on about how 'on report' means the incident is not ruled as 'innocent' and 'guilty', but that the whole thing is up. I suspect he's wrong, he talks a lot of nonsense, would be a daft rule if you could marmelise someone and get a free substitution for it.

Saints would get a free sub due to the incident as it was O'Brien that was injured.
Subs following injury do not count in the 10.

It was a shoulder charge - which as we know is now outlawed.

What I am unsure of is the punishment of said tackle. Is it a straight red? Tony Puletua was sent off away at Catalans for a shoulder charge, and that was BEFORE it was outlawed. And then there are the Moa and Bailey incidents. Is it a straight red card for a shoulder charge or just a penalty?

Is it? I'm sure that a Wigan player shoulder charged Laffranchi when we were on their line and he dropped it. I don't actually think the refs pick up on it anymore.

See Briers' OBVIOUS shoulder charge one in their game against Wigan the other week. I don't actually think the refs will give it anymore.

Shoulder charge to the body is just a penalty, nothing more.
Shoulder charge to the head is a red card.

I actually agree with what someone said that any 'on report' sign from the ref should come with a sin bin.

I don't agree that they banned the shoulder charge in the first place, but if that's the route we're going down, then following what Yed said above, there needs to be a new category,

Shoulder charge to player that's got his back turned, and passed the ball. Straight red

Cos that's what's been happening now, late off the ball hits,

Should have being a yellow card. It was late and a shoulder charge.

No contact with the head though, other than perhaps secondary late in the tackle, so don't agree that it should be a red.

Poor technique though. Don't know what he was thinking.

A shoulder charge should be given as a penalty. Any contact with the head is a sending off. So the referee got it it right.

Haven't seen the incident but from what I could see on the big screen there was probably more damage done when O'Brien's head hit the deck than from the impact itself. That said, this is probably the reason they were correct to outlaw them so I hope they throw the book at the coward who hit him with a cheap shot.

Just reflecting after last night it was interesting to see how Wigan coped without Bunnykins as so many of their plays revolve around him. Their young full back isn't in the same league but still looks a prospect. Sean O'Verrated or Harrison Hamper wouldn't have made that much difference so I reckon they'll fall back a bit from next year whereas we look like we'll be getting some shape.

Great win last night but not getting carried away. That's probably about as well as this Saints team can play.

Rogues. Did you take into account the fact that the ball was long gone, it was on O'Brien's blindside, and the fact that he hit the base of the skull? Horrible cheap shot and straight red for me.