Hull KR boss explains decision to drop Lewis: 'It's about standards'

Willie Peters chose not to include Mikey Lewis in his squad for Saturday's match against Toulouse as Hull KR look to 'uphold standards'; round 24 of Super League continues on Friday August 21, live on Sky Sports

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters said his decision to drop Mikey Lewis for Saturday's game against Toulouse ahead of his two-match ban is about upholding the "standards" of the club.

Lewis copped a two-game ban after a Grade C charge for 'dangerous contact' with Warrington Wolves' Ewan Irwin during their rearranged round two fixture on Tuesday.

Lewis' studs hit the ankle of Irwin as he kicked the ball. Irwin is now an injury worry for Sam Burgess' side and is undergoing scans.

The ban comes just as the 25-year-old returned from a four-match ban for a headbutt the last time the Robins faced Warrington.

Tevita Pangai Jr also faces a four-match ban after being cited three times during the match for 'late contact with a passer'. It means his Robins career could now be over after signing for them mid-season.

Although the disciplinary review has already taken place, the bans will only come into effect for Round 25, meaning both players were available for Saturday's clash with Toulouse.

However, Peters opted against including either player in his squad due to having to "uphold standards" not just for now, but for the club moving forward and making sure there is a clear line of what they will "accept" no matter "who you are".

That means the earliest Lewis will return is the final round of the regular season.

Following Tuesday’s rearranged Round Two fixture, the Match Review Panel have issued sanctions to Tevita Pangai Jr, Mikey Lewis and Sam Luckley. Pangai Jr will face a four-match suspension, while Lewis will receive a two-match suspension. Sam Luckley will face no further… pic.twitter.com/ApcL4cbmP8

"It's noted that we're the most charged team in the competition in terms of disciplinary points," Peters said.

"We have been given the most points out of any other team in the competition and had the most players sitting on the sideline.

"Some players have done things without consequence and if you don't have consequence, then you keep repeating those actions.

"So it's a time that we made a decision that it's not acceptable to be sitting on the sideline and costing team-mates through behaviours that's not in line with our standards.