Hartley banned...but back for Six Nations
Skipper back in time for Six Nations opener
Dylan Hartley will not be stripped of the england captaincy after escaping with a six-week ban that leaves him free to play in the RBS Six nations opener against France.
the northampton hooker was last night handed a mid-range sanction following the third red card of his career for striking leinster flanker Sean O’Brien.
Having cleaned up his image in 2016, the punishment is a fresh setback for Hartley, who has now amassed 60 weeks of suspensions throughout his controversial career, including bans for gouging, biting, punching, swearing at a referee and headbutting.
Hartley, 30, has already been given the public backing of RFU chief executive Ian ritchie and last night Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder also voiced his support for the front-row forward.
‘Dylan will be disappointed with himself because he’s really worked hard to get to his position,’ said Mallinder. ‘as Ian ritchie said, he’s had a fantastic year and has been leading england by example. as a club, we back Dylan Hartley and will continue to do so.’
referee Jerome Garces sent off Hartley just six minutes after he was introduced as a second-half substitute on Friday night, following a swinging arm to O’Brien’s cheek.
an independent judiciary panel banned him for five weeks and added a further seven days on account of his poor disciplinary record. It means Hartley is not free to play until January 23, leaving him with no opportunities for toplevel club rugby before england plot to extend their 14-match winning run in the Six nations. england and northampton flanker teimana Harrison also defended his team- mate last night, claiming the controversy should not take the shine off his achievements.
‘When he’s winning Grand Slams, when he’s making history away with england, then everyone is like, “Dylan is awesome, Dylan is great, you’re the man”,’ said Harrison.
‘He does one thing, slips up and everyone is like, “you shouldn’t be playing”. It shouldn’t be like that. you will see him back and he will be better than ever.’
northampton’s own woes are set to continue with Mallinder ruling out George north for Saturday’s Champions Cup trip to leinster after the Wales wing appeared to have been knocked out against leicester on December 3.