Hartley was injured in Northampton's loss to Saracens on Sunday

Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley has been ruled out of England's forthcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand because of a knee injury.

The 24-year-old hurt his left knee during Saints' 21-19 defeat by Saracens in Sunday's Premiership semi-final.

A scan showed that Hartley, who is replaced by George Chuter, requires an operation to treat cartilage damage.

Wasps flanker Tom Rees has pulled out of the England Saxons squad to do more rehabilitation on his shoulder.

Hartley's injury comes at the end of a fine season for the hooker, who has grown in maturity since being handed the Northampton captaincy at the start of the season.

606: DEBATE How big a loss is Hartley for England? JS

Under the New Zealand-born forward's guidance the Saints won the LV= Cup, reached the Premiership semi-finals and made it into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, while his form has led to him starting England's last seven Tests, taking his total caps to 19.

Brive front-rower Steve Thompson and Bath counterpart Lee Mears are the men most likely to take Hartley's place in the two upcoming Tests against Australia, with Chuter and Wasps' Rob Webber also among the touring party.

Rees has been beset by injury over the past 12 months and Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks said the flanker's long-term future had played a central role in the decision to withdraw him from the Saxons party.

"Tom had a very difficult season, coming through two shoulder operations and working extremely hard to return to play before the close of the season," said Hanks.

"Whilst he enjoyed some strong form on his return, injuries of this nature need continual monitoring and a summer spent strengthening the shoulder will be hugely beneficial and ensure prevention of further damage.

"We all know Tom is a player who gives 100% to everything that he does, and whilst he is disappointed not to tour, he will continue the hard work demonstrated this season to ensure he can lead the team through the pre-season period in preparation for 2010-11."

In addition to Rees, the second-string Saxons have also lost Bath second row Stuart Hooper and London Irish hooker David Paice, because of a toe injury and quadriceps strain respectively.

Rees is replaced by Leeds' Kearnan Myall and Newcastle's James Hudson comes in for Hooper, while a replacement for Paice will be announced in due course.

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