NEWS:DYLAN HARTLEY was yesterday cleared to tour South Africa with England this summer after the Northampton hooker escaped with an eight-week suspension for biting the Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris during the Six Nations.

Hartley could appeal – and he at once expressed disappointment at the length of the ban – but the disciplinary hearing, while upholding the citing for foul play, decided it merited a low entry on the IRB’s table of sanctions. The range of penalties runs from 12 weeks to four years.

There had been speculation that Hartley might face a stiff penalty because of a 26-week ban for gouging in 2007. However, the disciplinary committee, chaired by Roger Morris of Wales and including Rob Flockhart and Paul Minto of Scotland, considered five years’ good behaviour was enough for them to reduce the sentence by four weeks. Hartley suggested he would wait until the committee’s written judgment, expected on Friday, before deciding on any further action. However, he was “disappointed by the result” and said: “I now have to put it behind me and focus on supporting Saints in training and off the field.” Guardian Service