FORMER Worcester forward Dylan Hartley's career is in tatters after he was hit with a 26-week ban by Rugby Football Union disciplinary chiefs.

The highly-rated Northampton hooker was found guilty of illegally making contact with the eyes or eye area of Wasps forwards James Haskell and Jonny O'Connor during a Guinness Premiership game nine days ago.

Hartley also faced an identical third charge involving Wasps' England star Joe Worsley, but was found not guilty on that count.

He will not be able to play again until October 17, missing Saturday's key relegation crunch clash with London Irish.

The 21-year-old had been a strong contender for England's tour of South Africa, which begins next month, and the 2007 World Cup campaign in France.

But those hopes have now been destroyed by the suspension imposed by a three-man panel which sat in London.

Hartley was cited by an independent match commissioner following the Premiership clash at Adams Park, which relegation-haunted Northampton lost 35-29.

It is believed to be the longest suspension dished out to a top-flight England player since former Bath prop Kevin Yates received a six-month ban after being found guilty of ear-biting in 1998.