What a happy coincidence for England.
Dylan Hartley has been banned for six weeks and that means that he’ll be well rested, available and rearing to go for all of England’s Six Nations campaign.
The Northampton hooker has been handed a relatively lenient suspension for the blatant forearm smash he landed on Leinster flanker Sean O’Brien at the weekend.
Referee Jerome Garces understandably dismissed Hartley immediately for the strike, the latest in a litany of indiscretions from the 30-year-old.
The rugby community was united in condemnation for the act, with former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll telling SportsJOE just how dangerous the “tackle” was.
“There is a duty of care from the tackler coming in to effect a tackle,” O’Driscoll said. “And that wasn’t a tackle; there was not attempt to grab and it was incredibly loose and reckless… It is more of a red card every time I see it.”
The most recent punishment means that Hartley will have been under suspension for a total of 60 weeks due to seven separate decisions, for incidents such as eye-gouging, elbowing, head-butting and biting the finger of an opponent.
And O’Driscoll’s former centre partner Gordon D’Arcy has hit out since the revelation of Hartley’s suspension, explaining how he was “amazed” at the incredibly convenient and lenient length of the ban.
I'm just amazed at this.. 6week? The mind really does boggle sometimes.. Major Major was clearly making the decision today https://t.co/GmXxTBuHkQ
— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) December 14, 2016
You're not allowed hit someone in the back of the head in boxing or mma, that ban isn't enough esp given the type of history DH has imo
— luke fitzgerald (@lukefitz11) December 14, 2016
Dylan Hartley gets 6 weeks, disgrace, The #RFU Should be ashamed of themselves. World rugby are cracking down on thuggery, the #RFU laugh.
— Pat McGarry (@Patrick5128) December 14, 2016
6 weeks for @DylanHartley ?? I'd get worse at a Junior rugby match for that. What a total joke, @WorldRugby taking the complete piss. #liars
— GeoSheo (@GeoSheo) December 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/McArdle_Owen/status/809096603512532992
That's a very convenient ban for Dylan Hartley
— Matthew Hendrick (@Matty_Hendrick) December 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/giveawayvimax/status/809096542628024321
https://twitter.com/Grazinator/status/809096076997300225
@lionsofficial seriously @DylanHartley for capt?? He will have no respect from any player outside the english camp #rorybest #samwarburton
— Brian doran (@briainodeorain) December 14, 2016
How Dylan Hartley has only had a 6 week ban is beyond me!
— Ken Adams (@gareth_bell) December 14, 2016
Thing with Dylan Hartley ban is the example he is setting to youngsters. Be a thug/dirty player & you can still captain England!! Really??
— Morag 🌻 (@moragkatie) December 14, 2016
