Hartley could miss Lions tour

Dylan Hartley was sent off on the stroke of half-time
25 May 2013

Dylan Hartley could be suspended from the British and Irish Lions tour after he was sent off during the Aviva Premiership final.

The Northampton captain was dismissed on the brink of half-time at Twickenham, amid claims that he swore at referee Wayne Barnes following his decision to award Leicester a penalty. Hartley had been warned about his language by Barnes just two minutes before he was sent off.

The penalty for verbal abuse of a match official ranges between six and 18 weeks. If Hartley is found guilty that would surely end his hopes of touring with the Lions.

Warren Gatland's squad depart for Hong Kong and the first fixture of their 10-match tour on Monday.

Northampton assistant coach Dorian West told ESPN at half-time: "I don't really know what's been said out there. I know Wayne had a word with Dylan before that. We will have to listen to the ref mic and see what's been said.

"Dylan is obviously very disappointed and feels hard done to. He insists he was talking to his players."

A spokesman for the Lions told Press Association Sport that if Hartley receives a suspension which was to rule him out of the second match of the tour, against Western Force on June 5, then he would be replaced in the squad.

"The coaches and the team regather tomorrow (Sunday). There will be an assessment of the situation and it is out of our hands," the spokesman said.

"Warren Gatland has always indicated that these players (competing in Premiership and PRO12 finals) would not play in the first match against the Barbarians but they would have to be available for the second match of the tour.

"That is the criteria for Hartley coming on tour. If he gets a suspension that prevents him from making that second game, then that is where we are."

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