Hartley is facing new ban

ENGLAND captain Dylan Hartley may miss the autumn internationals after being cited last night – and could be joined on the sidelines by team-mates Nathan Hughes and Joe Marler who are also in trouble.

The trio face disciplinary hearings in London tomorrow with their inclusion in Eddie Jones’s November squad, which is announced the next morning, hanging in the balance.

Hartley has been charged with striking Clermont prop Rabah Slimani at a ruck in Northampton’s Champions Cup defeat on Saturday.

Referee Ben Whitehouse ruled the incident, which left Slimani with a bleeding nose, was “reckless but not intentional” and issued a yellow card at the time, but citing commissioner Douglas Hunter disagreed yesterday, viewing it worthy of a red.

The debate has raged over whether Hartley or Lions hooker Jamie George should start for England this autumn. If Hartley is found guilty and suspended, it could be settled by default.

The recommended low entry sanction for this type of offence is two weeks but Hartley’s previous convictions are so plentiful he is unlikely to be treated leniently should the citing be upheld. He has accrued 60 weeks of bans in his career.

Harlequins’ prop Marler, who also has disciplinary form, has been charged over the use of an elbow to the head of Wasps’ Will Rowlands on Sunday, while Hughes was cited for a dangerous tackle on Marcus Smith.

MUNSTER have confirmed Ireland wing Simon Zebo is leaving at the end of the season. He is expected to join Racing 92.