He has been charged with a Grade F offence - the most serious on the RFL's sliding scale - and is accused of "violent and aggressive punching on an off-guard opponent".

Hohaia has been charged with a lesser Grade B offence for starting the flare-up by putting a forearm into the face of Flower.

"Ben Flower of Wigan Warriors has been charged with the Grade F offence of violent and aggressive punching/punching an off-guard opponent (Lance Hohaia) in the second minute of the match," said a statement on the RFL website.

"Hohaia has been charged with the Grade B offence of striking Flower with the forearm in the second minute."

Flower's attack on Hohaia in only the second minute completely overshadowed Saints' 14-6 victory over the defending champions at Old Trafford on Saturday, with the prop's double punch receiving widespread criticism.

Indeed, he was still trending in the United Kingdom on Twitter on Sunday morning and his actions prompted the Warriors to issue a press release in which Flower, coach Shaun Wane and chairman Ian Lenagan all apologised for the incident which led to the Wales international making history by becoming the first player to be sent off in a Grand Final.

His charge carries a minimum eight-game match ban although the RFL could opt to give the 26-year-old an even longer suspension.

Hohaia, unlike Flower, has the option of submitting an early guilty plea by 11am on Tuesday, with his charge carrying a ban of between one and two matches.

The 31-year-old instigated proceedings and Flower took exception to an apparent use of a forearm by blatantly punching the former New Zealand international to the ground with a right hook before landing another punch to the face as his opponent lay motionless on the pitch.