Elima handed ban

Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Catalans Dragons will be without both their skipper and acting captain for Friday's trip to Wigan after Olivier Elima was suspended by the Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee.

Elima, who is leading the Catalans in the absence through injury of Thomas Bosc, was sent off for a high tackle on St Helens winger Jonny Lomax during their 42-12 home defeat last Saturday.

The French national captain admitted his guilt by telephone and was handed a one-match ban and a £300 fine after the committee heard that he had received a warning letter last season over his tackling technique.

Salford's long-serving centre Stuart Littler has been cleared to face Bradford at The Willows on Friday after avoiding suspension due to a guilty plea and a previously unblemished disciplinary record.

Littler was cited by the RFL's match review panel for a careless tackle on Leeds prop Ryan Bailey during the Reds' 22-10 defeat by the Rhinos last Friday.

It was the 304th appearance of Littler's career but his first of the season after his club record appearance run was ended at 163 games when he was dropped for Salford's opening match at Hull KR.