IRB Rugby World Cup
Banned Dylan Hartley 'devastated' to miss out on England Rugby World Cup spot
ESPN Staff
May 29, 2015
Dylan Hartley
Dylan Hartley© Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Dylan Hartley has admitted he is "devastated" after a ban for headbutting ruled him out of England's World Cup squad.

The Northampton hooker was slapped with a four-week ban after being found guilty of headbutting Saracens' Jamie George during last Saturday's Aviva Premiership semi-final at Franklin's Gardens.

The suspension would have ruled Hartley out of England's three World Cup warm-up matches, as well as the tournament opener against Fiji on September 18, and head coach Stuart Lancaster has opted to eject him from the current 50-man training squad.

"I am devastated with what has happened and the position I have put myself and the England team in," Hartley said. "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."

The latest ban is the sixth in Hartley's career, with the 29-year-old now missing 54 weeks of rugby thanks to his various suspensions.

However, Hartley's disappointment has proven to be George's gain as the Saracens hooker is the man to replace him in the squad. Lancaster must whittle down his group to a final 31 by August 31.

© ESPN Staff

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