Northampton Are Not Happy With Dylan Hartley

Northampton Saints hooker Dylan Hartley has let the club down after receiving a six-week ban for being sent off against Leinster according to their Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder.

The Saints Director of Rugby has stated that the England captain has let his club down big time after receiving a six-week ban following a dangerous swinging arm the 58th minute of their Champions Cup match which the Irish province won 37-10 at Franklin’s Gardens last Friday.

Hartley stood before a hearing yesterday after being cited for the offence and was given a five-week ban with two added on for his poor discipline record, and one taken away for his admission of guilt.

By the time the England captain completes his six-week ban, he would have spent 60 weeks on the sidelines due to suspensions. This is due to various offences including biting, gouging and butting.

“Dylan’s letting the team down,” Mallinder told the BBC. 

“He let the team down at the weekend. Any time you have a sending off and it’s a disciplinary matter, you’re letting the team down. Dylan has had a lot of criticism. I can’t say I’m not frustrated about it because clearly I am. The team lost a player at 50-odd minutes when we thought we were in the game.

“We’ve also lost him for the next few weeks when Mike Heywood really needs a rest. The team is struggling a bit and we need some leadership from our senior players and we’ve lost that over the next few weeks. We’re frustrated about that, but Dylan Hartley is part of Northampton Saints. We’ve supported each over the last 10 years and will continue to do so.”

Hartley’s ban ends just before the RBS Six Nations begins for England, rubbing more salt in the wounds of Northampton as he will likely miss another 6 weeks+ for the tournament.