Northampton's England hooker Dylan Hartley has been suspended for three weeks for elbowing Leicester's Matt Smith in a Premiership match, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Hartley, who was sent off after 17 minutes following the off-the-ball incident, is banned until January 11, which means he can play in England's Six Nations campaign which starts against Wales on February 6 as they build up for September and October's home World Cup.

The absence of the 28-year-old, who pleaded guilty to the offense, did not prevent Northampton from sealing a stunning 23-19 victory over Leicester with 14 men.

"The sanction reflects the low-end entry point of the offense, which carries a two-week tariff," RFU judicial officer Jeremy Summers said in the statement.

Hartley was also shown a red card for swearing at the referee in the Premiership final against the same opponents last year, an indiscretion which cost him a place on the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia.