Dylan Hartley may miss Six Nations after sending off
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.
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 & 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 clash at Franklin's Gardens.
Referee JP 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 off the 61 times-capped Hartley.
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," said Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder.
"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," he added.
