London - Wigan prop Ben Flower has been banned for six months for punching an opponent in the face as he lay on the ground during Saturday's super league grand final against St Helens, the Rugby Football League (RFL) said on Twitter on Tuesday.
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The Welsh forward was found guilty of a Grade F charge for violent and aggressive punching after he struck St Helens back Lance Hohaia twice in the second minute of the match.
Flower cannot play until April 14, 2015.
Hohaia also accepted a one-match ban for a Grade B striking charge just before the incident occurred.
St Helens beat 12-man Wigan 14-6 in the final at Old Trafford.