Hartley set to miss Lions tour after being handed 11-week ban for swearing at ref

Northampton captain Dylan Hartley has been handed an 11-week ban after being found guilty of verbally abusing a match official in yesterday’s Aviva Premiership final.

Hartley was sent off for allegedly calling referee Wayne Barnes a “f****** cheat” just before half-time in Leicester’s 37-17 victory at Twickenham.

The Rugby Football Union today confirmed the suspension rules Hartley out of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with Ireland’s Rory Best now favourite for a call-up.

Hartley has the right of appeal.