Trouble for McDermott and McDermott

Rugby League

Not one but two McDermotts will be on the carpet at League headquarters tomorrow, in the aftermath of the weekend's stormy Silk Cut Challenge Cup semi-final, writes Dave Hadfield.

Brian McDermott, of the Bradford Bulls, was already due to appear before the disciplinary committee following his sending-off for punching late in the game. Now the Leeds prop Barrie McDermott has been called in because of suspected high tackling detected on the match video by the League's director of referees, Greg McCallum.

His team-mate Terry Newton is also on the guest list because of his role in the incident that led to Brian McDermott's dismissal. Two Bradford players have been warned for the sledging that was a persistent feature of the match and a letter has been sent to Leeds expressing concern over the way that several of their players verbally challenged two decisions by a touch judge late in the match.

The League is to take an understanding view of the comments of the Bradford coach, Matthew Elliott, about the referee Russell Smith. Elliott blamed Smith for head and face injuries suffered by his players. The League's chief executive, Maurice Lindsay, said: "I understand how pressurised Cup semi-finals can be and I believe it would be right to show a degree of tolerance."

Warrington hope to appoint their new coach this week, but it will not - despite his remarkable start by beating Wigan on Monday - be the man in charge on a caretaker basis, Paul Cullen. "Paul is ideal coaching material, but he needs to serve his apprenticeship," said the club's football director, Alex Murphy. "He will do that under the man we appoint." Murphy added that he also wanted to step back from team matters himself as soon as a new man is in place.

Sheffield Eagles' long-serving forward, Mick Cook, has joined Bramley as player-coach to work with Paul Fletcher. He will also work on the community coaching scheme run by Bramley's landlords at Headingley, Leeds.