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British and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland is not ruling out the possibility of handing the captaincy to England's Dylan Hartley despite his sending off last weekend.

The hooker came on during Northampton's defeat to Leinster but didn't last long after he was red carded for a dangerous swinging arm that resulted in Sean O'Brien going off injured.

Given Hartley's rap sheet - he's been banned for 54 weeks of his career for various violent acts - many pundits and former players have since insisted that the 30-year-old, who was the frontrunner to be handed the armband, can no longer lead the Lions.

But Gatland has refused to rule him out of captaining the tour.

"Look, he's had a great 12 months, done a great job in captaining and leading England and the success that they've had," Gatland told the BBC.

"I don't mind that edge, but it's important they don't cross the line and with someone like Dylan it's been disappointing and hopefully he reflects on what's happened last week.

"He'll be disappointed and hopefully he reflects on that and takes his punishment and gets back and has a good Six Nations, and for me after that it's just looking at him and first of all is his form good to be selected (for the tour) and then maybe some of the other things come into consideration."

Hartley was dropped from the England squad ahead of the last World Cup for headbutting Jamie George and he missed the last Lions tour for swearing at referee Wayne Barnes.

(Image: Getty Images)

But the Kiwi boss will be taking his time before making any decisions on the captaincy and will be monitoring the form of his contenders closely during the Six Nations.

"I think Dylan will be more concerned about his ban and getting on the field and playing for England than worrying about (next) June.

"Those things will take care of itself in terms of we'll see what happens over the next few months.

"And let's not get too carried away and not make too much of an issue of it and I'll just sit back and see what happens."

Gatland was speaking during a visit to Welsh cancer centre Velindre, where he was joined by former Wales fly-half and president of the organisation Jonathan Davies.

"It certainly puts life into perspective and was a humbling but very uplifting experience," Gatland said.

"The Lions are supporting four charities in aid of the 'Leading The Lions' Dinner series and Velindre is the chosen charity in Cardiff so I was very grateful to have had the opportunity to see the fantastic work they do.

"It makes you stop and think about life in general and the spirit people have."