Hull face cup investigation

1:48pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

The Rugby Football League are investigating a claim that Hull fielded an ineligible player in their Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round win over Widnes.

Hull re-signed prop forward Jamie Thackray from Leeds on March 27, more than three weeks after the initial cup deadline, and he played in their 32-18 victory over the Vikings on Sunday.

Thackray, who was a member of Hull's cup-winning team in 2005, was also a tryscorer in his team's 42-5 fourth-round success at Rochdale on April 20.

If the east Yorkshire club, who have been drawn away to Bradford in the quarter-finals, are found to have breached the League's bye-laws, they could be fined or even expelled from the competition.

"We are aware of the issue and are looking into it," confirmed RFL spokesman Craig Spence.

A Hull spokesman said the club had no comment at this stage but Widnes admitted they would be delighted to take Hull's place in the next round.

"We are aware that Hull played an unregistered player and we're waiting to see what the League have to say," said Widnes operations manager Pat Cluskey.

"We will abide by whatever decision the League make, as we did with our nine-point deduction."

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