Farrell faces head-butt charge

Andy Farrell faces a head-butting charge

Wigan and Great Britain captain Andy Farrell will appear before the Rugby League disciplinary committee for the first time in his career on Tuesday after being charged with head-butting another player.

The 25-year-old loose forward was referred by the League's executive committee on Monday after being sin-binned and placed on report for his part in a skirmish during Wigan's 12-12 draw with Bradford last Wednesday.

Farrell, who is charged with head-butting Bulls hooker James Lowes, has been sin-binned in each of his club's last two matches, the first time for dissent, but he has never been sent off in nine seasons with the club.

Model professional

Signed from local club Orrell St James in 1991-92, Farrell has been a model professional and has missed only four League matches - all through injury - since the switch to summer rugby in 1995.

On Sunday, he became the first player to kick 500 goals in Super League and equalled Bobbie Goulding's record for the fastest century of goals in a season, reaching the landmark in his club's 17th game.

Farrell will be joined at Tuesday's hearing at the League's Red Hall headquarters by Paul Newlove (St Helens) and Paul Davidson (London Broncos), who were also referred by the executive after being put on report on Monday.

Great Britain centre Newlove is charged with making a reckless high tackle during Saints' 30-22 win at Wakefield while second rower Davidson is up for head-butting in the Broncos' 26-20 defeat by Castleford.