Ex-Leeds Rhinos academy player handed huge ban for attacking Salford RLFC opponent's testicles
A Hunslet player who announced his retirement this week has been banned for six games and fined after the RFL’s match review panel charged him with attacking an opponent’s testicles.
The alleged incident happened during Hunslet’s defeat at Salford a fortnight ago. Coby Nichol was referred for investigation the previous week and has now been charged with a grade F offence - the most severe in the RFL’s disciplinary system. He was handed 36 penalty points, taking his total for the past 12 months to 38.5.
However, Nichol won’t serve the suspension after Hunslet announced the 23-year-old outside-back’s retirement earlier this week. A statement issued on Tuesday said: “The club is disappointed to announce that Coby Nichol has announced his immediate retirement from semi-professional rugby league due to work commitments. Coby made 21 appearances for the Parksiders, scoring six tries.”
Nichol came through Leeds Rhinos’ system and also had spells with Bradford Bulls, Cornwall and Swinton Lions. The panel also banned and fined Hunslet’s Ethan O’Hanlon for two games after he was charged with grade D head contact in last weekend’s win at Rochdale Hornets. O’Hanlon was handed 15 penalty points, which were his first in the past 12 months.