Hartley sees red and puts Lions place in jeopardy

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.

Barnes had told him: “Please keep your comments to yourself or I may have to deal with it. Do not talk to me like that.”

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 player.”

West was critical of Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill, who was furious earlier in an eventful first-half when Courtney Lawes was not yellow carded for a tackle on Toby Flood.

“We’ve had a few problems. Richard Cockerill has been intimidating officials all through the half. It’s embarrassing but that’s where we are. We are up against it now.”