Batley Bulldogs have dropped captain Keegan Hirst for their opening Qualifiers game this weekend due to an “internal disciplinary matter”.
Hirst will miss Sunday’s trip to Hull Kingston Rovers after coach John Kear revealed that the Bulldogs skipper has been stood down for this week’s game.
He will, however, return in time for their next Qualifiers fixture next weekend.
Kear told the Yorkshire Post: “I’m not worried by it – not at all. But we decided to take a stand.
“I’d think he’d be gutted at missing out but you’d have to ask Keegan that. “It is because of an internal disciplinary matter and it’s one game. That’s it as far as we’re concerned. “He’ll miss Hull KR and then be involved again for the rest of the Qualifiers.”
