Warrington Wolves head coach Tony Smith has refused to defend the recent actions of Anthony England, claiming that the prop could lose his place at the club should he fail to learn his lesson.

The 28-year-old received a four-match ban by the Rugby Football League for spitting at Huddersfield Giants captain Danny Brough in last weekend's 30-19 defeat at the John Smith's Stadium.

Smith admits that he is "disappointed" by what he witnessed, but is hopeful that the matter can now be put to one side.

"The loss of control - by both players - was wrong and Anthony took it too far," he is quoted as saying by Eurosport. "I am not going to stick up for him about that. He is serving his punishment and rightly so.

"He has had a few issues off the field in recent times and, I think, let that affect his judgement on the field, but to show that sort of frustration is inappropriate. I'm certainly disappointed.

"People make mistakes and they need to pay for it, but first of all they need to put their hand up and he has done that. I would be surprised if he had another misdemeanour in a similar fashion."

England has featured in eight Super League matches for Warrington so far this season.