JACK Hughes may have been hit with an RFL ban, but he will still be able to feature in Wolves' opening game of the 2018 season.

The second-rower submitted an early guilty plea after being handed a Grade B punching charge and has received a one-match ban.

The charge related to a 50th-minute incident in Saturday’s win over Hull KR which saw him sin-binned alongside Rovers prop Lee Jewitt, who has also pleaded guilty and receives the same ban.

Hughes was the only player to start all 33 of The Wire's games in 2017 and it looked as if he would not have that luxury next year.

However, the RFL have confirmed players can include two pre-season games in suspensions.

Mike Cooper has also escaped punishment after the RFL’s Match Review Panel looked at a late tackle on Chris Atkin during Saturday’s game.

As well as Jewitt, Rovers trio Maurice Blair (high tackle on Stefan Ratchford, 25th minutes), Zach Dockar-Clay (use of forearm on Benjamin Jullien, 35th minute) and Kieren Moss (dangerous throw on Kevin Brown, 79th minute) have all escaped charges.