NORTHAMPTON have withdrawn their appeal against Dylan Hartley's 26-week ban for gouging.
The former Worcester hooker was found guilty by a three-man Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel of illegally making contact with Wasps back-row forward James Haskell's eye, and the eye area of Wasps flanker Jonny O'Connor during a Guinness Premiership game on April 15.
The appeal was due to be heard in London tomorrow but Hartley will now be sidelined for six months.
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