When Jermaine McGillvary scored last night on 69 mins, Bateman had just been subbed. He was off the field and returning to the dug out, when McGillvary ran past he reactively flicked his hand out as if to go for the ball.

It was just a flinch and he didn't really have much intent on going for the ball.

My question is what would have happened if he had? Has anything happened like that before, where a player off the field has interfered?

Can't say I noticed at the time whilst watching it. If something in the future happened along the lines of a sub getting involved in play then I guess it'd have to be a red card.....a sin bin would be pretty pointless as he's already off the field.

A red card wouldn't limit the numbers they had on the field but would impact their rotation I guess, I can't see what else a ref could do.

It wouldn't be an on field issue - all the ref could do would be to resume play (assuming the sub did no foul play) to roughly how it was before the interference - it would be wilful use of 14 men on the pitch, which the club would be docked 2 points for I believe is the current precedent.

In the case cited. The ref would probably have given a scrum down to Huddersfield, with Bateman ordered from the pitch (I may be wrong but I believe the ball is considered dead if a sub touches it) - not much of an advantage but an issue for the match commissioner, not the ref.

It would be a good one to ask the ref's on twitter. I didn't notice it either. I guess they could award a penalty try depending on the circumstances.

Like I say it was very slight, just a natural reaction but it got me thinking.

Good point on asking the refs, cheers.

Could have been his twitch?