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Rugby Union

Northampton appeal against Hartley ban

25/04/2007

Northampton Saints will appeal against the 26-week ban handed to hooker Dylan Hartley by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) yesterday.

Hartley was cited for gouging the eyes of London Wasps' James Haskell and Jonny O'Connor in a brawl during a Guinness Premiership match on April 16th; an act the three-man disciplinary panel deemed a serious offence.

The appeal will be on May 3rd and, although Hartley is free to play while awaiting the outcome of the hearing, Northampton have decided not to use him in their final game of the season against London Irish on Sunday.

A club statement said: "Northampton Saints have decided to appeal against the 26-week ban imposed on Dylan Hartley yesterday by a RFU disciplinary panel."

Panel chairman Judge Jeff Blackett said: "Contact with an opponent's eyes is a serious offence because of the vulnerability of the area and risk of permanent injury.

"It is often the result of an insidious act and is one of the most abhorred by rugby players."

The ban would be one of the longest in English rugby history, though the panel said they had considered the 21-year-old's inexperience and previous good disciplinary record.

Hartley has emerged as a future England prospect this season despite the Saints' poor run of results and had been tipped by some experts as a possible selection for England's summer tour to South Africa.

Northampton need to win against London Irish to maintain their Premiership status and Hartley will be sorely missed in the pack on Sunday.

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