Rugby:England hooker Dylan Hartley has been cited for allegedly biting Stephen Ferris in Ireland's 30-9 Six Nations defeat at Twickenham on Saturday. In the 28th minute of the game, the Ulster backrow claimed he was bitten but referee Nigel Owens admitted he saw nothing at the time.
However, Italian citing commissioner Alberto Recalbini confirmed today Hartley has a case to answer.
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), 18 weeks (mid range) or 24-plus weeks (high end) if found guilty.
A date for the disciplinary hearing has yet to be announced but video evidence will be used and Ferris can be called for questioning.
The English RFU tonight issued a brief statement, confirming: "The England management have been formally notified about the citing of Dylan Hartley and will not be making any comment until the resolution of the disciplinary hearing."
After Ferris made the allegation, Owens addressed England captain Chris Robshaw and Ireland captain Rory Best, saying: “I have an accusation of biting, a clear mark on the finger. I did not see something. If I do it will be dealt with severely, which would be a red card. It could be dealt with afterwards. If it is seen it will be dealt with. I did not see it.
“Have a word. Nothing like that takes place in this game. I can only deal with what I see. Have a word please. I have had a look. Unless I can see it, it’s been dealt with, okay?”
Owens then added: “This game is difficult enough without stuff like that, is that clear?”
Owens then approached Ferris while he was being treated and said: “I have done all I can. It has been noted. If I don’t see it I can’t do nothing about it. It has been spoken about and dealt with.”
Robshaw insisted after the game he had not seen anything untoward on the pitch. Asked how he would react if one of England’s players had bitten an opponent, Robshaw said: “It is one of those things we will have to address when we meet up, but at the moment it is innocent until proven guilty, so to speak.
“We will see what happens.”
Hartley received a 26-week suspension for eye gouging in April 2007.
