England's Hartley could miss Six Nations opener after red card

London (AFP) - Northampton captain Dylan Hartley could be suspended for the start of England's Six Nations campaign after he was sent off for elbowing an opponent in his side's 23-19 win over Leicester on Saturday.

Hartley's career has been marred by disciplinary problems, including a 26-week ban for eye-gouging in 2007 and an 11-week suspension for verbally abusing referee Wayne Barnes during the 2013 Premiership final.

He was banned for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia as a result of last year's incident and Rugby Football Union chiefs could take a dim view of his latest indiscretion in a hard-fought Premiership clash at Franklin's Gardens.

Referee J P Doyle seemed happy to award a yellow card when Hartley's elbow caught Tigers centre Matt Smith in the face in the 17th minute.

As Smith fell to the ground, a brawl broke out involving several players, but television match official Sean Davey urged Doyle to watch further replays, and he responded by sending 61 times-capped Hartley off.

England open their Six Nations campaign against Wales in Cardiff on February 6, and, given Hartley's poor disciplinary record, another lengthy suspension appears likely, with a disciplinary hearing set to be convened before Christmas.

"It was disappointing," Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder said.

"Dylan has got to keep his arms down, but he was being held and I don't know there was any malice in it.

"The nature of the game didn't justify a red card. I think Smith went down pretty easily, to be honest, which was disappointing."

Hartley's dismissal took the gloss off a win that kept Northampton top of the Premiership thanks to substitute Jamie Elliott's 77th-minute try which fly-half Stephen Myler converted from the touchline.

Saints had earlier delivered tries for prop Alex Waller and replacement Ben Foden, plus two Myler penalties, with the lead changing hands five times during the second half.

Elsewhere, second placed Bath kept the pressure on Northampton with a 39-16 win at Gloucester.

Fourth-placed Saracens got back on track as they scored 11 tries in a 78-7 rout of London Welsh.

Mark McCall's men had not secured a league victory for more than two months.

But they did not give Welsh a sniff at Allianz Park, as Mako Vunipola, who grabbed two tries, Brett Sharman, George Kruis and Chris Ashton all crossed in the first half.

Elliot Kear did respond for the Exiles but Sarries made the scoreline even more emphatic as replacement Richard Wigglesworth grabbed a hat-trick of tries, in addition to scores from Jackson Wray, Richard Barrington and Ben Ransom.

Five penalties from Tim Swiel saved Harlequins from a surprise home defeat at the Stoop as they edged strugglers Newcastle Falcons 15-7.