WARRINGTON Wolves have become the first club to be punished for breaching a particular Super League rule.

The Wire have been fined £5,000, half of it suspended, for breaching Super League’s Operational Rules regarding the shot clock and use of the interchange earlier this season.

A Rugby Football League statement reads: "This is the first time a club have been penalised in this way since the shot clock was introduced to the Betfred Super League and other competitions in the 2019 season.

"The incident occurred in the Round Three fixture against Wakefield Trinity on February 16.

"Late in the first half, Toby King went to ground with an injury after the shot clock had started for a scrum.

"He was removed from the field under instruction from the match referee in line with shot clock injury regulations but then returned to the field when Wakefield were in possession.

"Warrington had not used an interchange to allow the player to return to the field immediately or at the next recognised stoppage."

The statement continues: "Warrington complied fully with the case, submitted relevant information from the club and physio promptly, make no excuse for the breach and recognise the error the player has made.

"However they gained an advantage through King’s unpermitted return to the field, and have been found guilty by the RFL’s Operational Rules Tribunal of breaching the match day operations manual and of improper conduct."