Dylan Hartley handed four-week ban, World Cup prospects in doubt

Northampton Saints and England hooker Dylan Hartley has been handed a four-week ban for headbutting Saracens' Jamie George.

The 29-year-old appeared before a three-man disciplinary panel on Wednesday evening, having been cited for foul play during Northampton's defeat to Saracens in the Aviva Premiership semi-finals on Saturday.

Hartley will now miss England's three World Cup warm-up games, as well as the tournament opener against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18, should he be selected.

Widespread media reports have suggested that Hartley, who has previously been warned by head coach Stuart Lancaster over his disciplinary issues following five previous bans, will now be omitted from the Red Rose squad.