Hull captain Jason Smith will miss the start of the Super League season after picking up a one-match ban.

Smith was sent off after just 15 seconds

Smith was dismissed and fined �300 for a deliberate high tackle in Sunday's Powergen Challenge Cup win over Halifax.

And the Australian will now have to sit out Hull's opening league game at Wakefield Trinity on 23 February.

The former Parramatta loose forward was pulled up for a challenge on Halifax forward Chris Birchall after only 15 seconds of the fourth-round tie.

Hull finished the match with only 11 men after Richard Fletcher was also sent off in the second half for a high tackle on Andy Hobson.

Fletcher has been suspended for two matches and will miss the Wakefield trip, as well as Hull's fifth-round Challenge Cup tie against Sheffield Eagles on 2 March.

Ryan Hudson will also miss the big Super League kick-off after being sent off for fighting in Castleford's 20-18 defeat at Wakefield.