Wigan prop Ben Flower faces a huge ban - VIDEO

In a display of inexplicable brutality, two minutes into the Grand Final at Old Trafford, Flower knelt over St Helens’ Lance Hohaia — whom he had already knocked unconscious with a swinging punch — and landed a second, shocking blow.‘There is no defence for my actions,’ said Flower. ‘It was something that happened in the heat of the moment when our emotions and adrenaline were running high. I instantly regretted it and am devastated that I allowed myself to punch someone like this.’It was an inexcusable attack and few have sought to offer mitigation, beyond reiterating the intensity of the derby between Wigan and Saints, two towns nine miles apart and with a fierce, long-standing rivalry.But the sport now faces an uncomfortable week as it decides how to punish Flower and limit the damage to its image.The incident will likely be referred to an independent disciplinary board, which will sit on Tuesday, chaired by High Court Judge Chris Batty and assisted by former players Danny Sculthorpe and Neil Turley.There is no ceiling to the length of ban Flower could face, with some calling for him to be banned for life.There is also a possibility that Flower could face criminal charges, despite both Hohaia and St Helens coach Nathan Brown stating they did not want a prosecution. (dailymail.co.uk)Bakudaily.Az