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Lions 2013: Dylan Hartley set to miss tour after sending off

Wayne Barnes, Dylan Hartley

England hooker Dylan Hartley is set to miss the British and Irish Lions tour after becoming the first player to be sent off in a Premiership final.

Northampton's captain swore at referee Wayne Barnes and called him a "cheat" after a penalty decision went against his side in a 37-17 loss to Leicester.

Hartley, 27, who claims he was talking to Tigers hooker Tom Youngs, will face a disciplinary hearing on Sunday.

The entry point for an RFU ban for abusing an official is six weeks.

The Lions tour runs from 1 June-6 July.

Any potential RFU punishment can be increased or decreased according to the severity of the offence. Although unlikely, it remains possible the dismissal alone could be deemed sufficient punishment.

Hartley had already been warned by Barnes for speaking out of turn, before the dismissal late in the first half.

If Hartley is banned, Ulster and Ireland hooker Rory Best would be favourite to replace him.

A spokesman for the Lions said that if Hartley receives a suspension which was to rule him out of the second match of the tour, against Western Force on 5 June, then he would be replaced in the squad.

"The coaches and the team re-gather on Sunday. There will be an assessment of the situation and it is out of our hands," the spokesman said.

"Warren Gatland has always indicated that these players (competing in Premiership and Pro12 finals) would not play in the first match against the Barbarians but they would have to be available for the second match of the tour.

"That is the criteria for Hartley coming on tour. If he gets a suspension that prevents him from making that second game then that is where we are."

Northampton coach Jim Mallinder said Hartley's claim was backed up by a number of other senior players.

"I asked Dylan at half-time and I've just asked him again 'what happened? What did you say">