Six Nations: England hooker Dylan Hartley is cited over biting allegation

ENGLAND hooker Dylan Hartley has been cited for allegedly biting the finger of an opponent. Hartley, who could land a maximum ban of four years, will face a disciplinary hearing following the first-half incident during Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations game against Ireland at Twickenham.

Six Nations organisers announced Northampton forward Hartley had been reported by match commissioner Alberto Recaldini. It is understood that Hartley is alleged to have bitten the finger of Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris in the 23rd minute.

In a statement, the Six Nations said: “England hooker Dylan Hartley has been cited following the RBS 6 Nations match between England and Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday for an alleged biting offence. The independent Six Nations citing commissioner for the match, Alberto Recaldini [Italy], cited the England player under IRB Law 10.4(m), “Acts contrary to good sportsmanship”, for allegedly biting the finger of an opponent in the 23rd minute of the first-half. The player’s hearing will be held by an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee at a date to be confirmed.”

A biting offence carries a low end entry point of a 12-week suspension, with 18 weeks for mid-range and 24-plus weeks at the top end in the International Rugby Board’s disciplinary sanctions table. The maximum sanction is a four-year punishment.

If Hartley is banned, he could easily be ruled out of England’s three-Test tour to South Africa in June. And his citing comes at the end of an otherwise successful tournament for England under their interim head coach Stuart Lancaster. A 30-9 victory over Ireland gave England their fourth Six Nations win in five games and meant they finished second behind Wales.

The Rugby Football Union yesterday issued a brief statement following Hartley’s citing.

It read: “The England management have been formally notified about the citing of Dylan Hartley and will not be making any comment until the resolution of the disciplinary hearing.”

Match referee, Welshman Nigel Owens, did not see the alleged incident. Owens, though, confirmed to the two captains – England’s Chris Robshaw and Ireland’s Rory Best – that it would be looked into after the match.

When Owens addressed Robshaw and Best he said: “I have an accusation of biting, a clear mark on the finger. I did not see something. If I do, it will be dealt with severely, which would be a red card. It could be dealt with afterwards. If it is seen it will be dealt with. I did not see it. Have a word. Nothing like that takes place in this game. I can only deal with what I see.”

As the two forward packs then set themselves for a scrum, Owens added: “This game is difficult enough without stuff like that, is that clear?”

Owens then approached Ferris while he was receiving treatment and said: “I have done all I can. It has been noted. It has been spoken about and dealt with.”

Robshaw insisted after the game that he had not seen anything untoward on the pitch.

Asked how he would react if one of England’s players had bitten an opponent, he said: “It is one of those things we will have to address when we meet up, but at the moment it is innocent until proven guilty. We will see what happens.”

Hartley cannot play, pending his hearing.