ENGLAND hooker Dylan Hartley has been cited for allegedly biting the finger of Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris, writes Gavin Cummiskey.

Under IRB law 10.4 (m), acts contrary to good sportsmanship, the New Zealand-born, Northampton captain could be suspended for 12 weeks (low end in the IRB sanctions table), 18 weeks (mid range) or 24-plus weeks (high end) if found guilty of the offence.

Referee Nigel Owens, when informed about the incident by Ireland players in the 28th minute of England’s 30-9 victory at Twickenham last Saturday, admitted to not seeing anything but confirmed to the captains, Chris Robshaw and Rory Best, it would be looked into after the match.

However, Italian citing commissioner Alberto Recalbini confirmed yesterday Hartley has a case to answer. A date for the disciplinary hearing has yet to be announced but video evidence will be used and Ferris can be called for questioning. In April 2007 Hartley received a 26-week suspension for eye gouging.