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Danny McGuire and Jamie Jones-Buchanan ruled out of St Helens clash

St Helens will be without England centre Mark Percival for the trip to Headingley after he was handed a one-match ban.

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Leeds will be without captain Danny McGuire and experienced back-rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan for Thursday’s Betfred Super League home game against St Helens because of suspension.

McGuire, who was sin-binned for dissent in the Rhinos’ home defeat by Castleford last Friday, was subsequently charged with a grade C offence and admitted using foul language towards referee Robert Hicks when he appeared in front of a Rugby Football League independent disciplinary tribunal.

The veteran half-back had the option of submitting an early guilty plea, which would have meant an automatic two-match ban, but opted to make an appearance in front of a hearing in Leeds and received a one-game suspension.

Jones-Buchanan was given a one-match ban after admitting a grade A offence of striking with the shoulder in the same game and, like McGuire, was fined £300.

St Helens will be without England centre Mark Percival for the trip to Headingley after he was handed a one-match ban for what the RFL’s match-review panel termed “other contrary conduct”. Percival, who kicked a ball which inadvertently struck a match official, was also fined £300.

Former England stand-off Rangi Chase, whose impressive form has helped lift Widnes off the foot of the table, will miss his club’s next two matches after pleading guilty to a grade B offence of striking with the shoulder during their win over Leigh.

Catalans Dragons full-back Tony Gigot has been cleared to face Leigh on Saturday after he was found not guilty of using aggressive body language in disputing a decision during his side’s defeat at Warrington.

Willie Isa (Wigan), Chris Annakin (Wakefield) and Brad Fash (Hull) all avoided suspension after using their early-guilty pleas to minor grade A offences.

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