Friday 29 May 2015 17:16, UK
Dylan Hartley is set to miss the World Cup after he was dropped from England's training squad following his latest ban for head-butting Jamie George.
The Northampton hooker was handed a four-week ban on Wednesday night after pleading guilty to head-butting George in last Saturday's Premiership play-off defeat to Saracens, taking his career suspensions tally to 54 weeks.
The 29-year-old has decided not to appeal the sanction and as a result he will miss three warm-up games and the opening match of the World Cup against Fiji on September 18.
In a twist of fate, it is George who takes Hartley's place in the 50-man training squad.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: : “We’ve invested lots of time and effort in him, so losing one of our most experienced players is disappointing.
"We are obviously very disappointed with the situation that Dylan has put himself in and where that leaves us as a squad. I have spoken to him and he knows he has let himself and everyone down.
“If we selected him in the World Cup squad he would have played no competitive rugby at all and we would be left exposed with only two available hookers in what is a specialised position going into the Fiji game.
"All it would take is one injury (that is not tournament ending) during the week of the Fiji game and we would only have one fit hooker in the squad for our crucial opening game and this would leave us massively exposed.
"In addition, the regulations also clearly state that in our World Cup squad we must have sufficient cover that is suitably trained and experienced in the front row in case of injury.
"This is clearly not the case if we begin the tournament with a suspended hooker and as such we have been left with no choice but to replace him.
“It also goes without saying that we need all our players to be able to control their discipline and make good decisions under pressure, the World Cup will clearly require this, and Dylan has not clearly displayed this in this latest incident. This is an area that he still needs to address.
“So, as soon as the ban was announced that was it, the decision was made. He’s let himself down in this big semi-final and there are big consequences. Not just for him, but for the team as well because he’s an important cog in the wheel.
“Dylan will be replaced by Jamie George in the World Cup squad and will not be considered until the suspension is served.
"Jamie has obviously played well for Saracens this season and I’m sure will work extremely hard to take his opportunity.”
Hartley said: “I am devastated with what has happened and the position I have put myself and the England team in. I would like to apologise to Jamie, Stuart, and my team mates both at Saints as well as England.
"What happened is not acceptable and I understand why this decision has been made."
