IRB bite citing as England’s Hartley fingered

Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris may see justice done for the bite he believes he received on his finger last Saturday after England hooker Dylan Hartley was cited last night for the alleged offence.

The Northampton Saints front row faces a minimum ban of 12 weeks if found guilty of the charge after the independent citing commissioner Alberto Recaldini of Italy cited the England player under International Rugby Board 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” of the RBS 6 Nations match at Twickenham on Saturday.

An independent Six Nations Disciplinary Committee will decide his fate with the offence carrying a 24-plus weeks suspension, up to four years at its top end.