England and Northampton Saints hooker Dylan Hartley has been handed a six-week ban following his red card against Leinster on Friday.
The 30-year-old was sent off just six minutes after coming on as a substitute during the Champions Cup clash at Franklin's Gardens having caught Sean O'Brien in the head with a swinging arm.
Hartley pleaded guilty to a charge of striking at an independent disciplinary hearing this afternoon and will now be unavailable until January 23.
The length of the ban means that Hartley - named captain of England by head coach Eddie Jones - will be available to lead his country out in the Six Nations opener against France at Twickenham on February 4.
Hartley received an additional week to the original five-week ban for his poor disciplinary record in the past, having now been shown three red cards and missed 60 weeks of action through suspension.
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
