The trio face disciplinary hearings in London tomorrow with their inclusion in Eddie Jones’s November squad, which is announced the following morning, hanging in the balance.
Hartley has been charged with striking Clermont prop Rabah Slimani after a swinging arm ruck clearout in Northampton’s Champions Cup defeat on Saturday.
Referee Ben Whitehouse ruled that the incident, which left Slimani with a bleeding nose, was “reckless but not intentional” and issued a yellow card at the time, but citing commissioner Douglas Hunter, from Scotland, disagreed yesterday, viewing it worthy of a red.
The debate has been raging over whether Hartley or Lions hooker Jamie George should start for England this autumn. If Hartley is found guilty and suspended, it could be settled by default.
The recommended low entry sanction for this type of offence is two weeks but Hartley’s previous convictions are so plentiful that he is unlikely to be treated leniently should the citing be upheld. He has accrued 60 weeks of bans in his career.
Marler, who also has disciplinary form, has been charged over the use of an elbow to the head of Wasps’ Will Rowlands on Sunday.
The incident, which occurred as Marler tried to free himself from the grasp of Rowlands, brought the Harlequins prop a yellow card.
No8 Hughes was cited for a dangerous tackle on Marcus Smith which went unpunished in a tempestuous match which also saw Quins flanker Dave Ward cited for a head butt on Thomas Young.
Blob Munster yesterday confirmed that Ireland wing Simon Zebo is leaving at the end of the season. He is expected to join Racing 92.
