Dylan Hartley’s appointment as England captain would not be at odds with the Rugby Football Union’s core values, according to chief executive Ian Ritchie.
Hartley is expected to be named skipper for the Six Nations on Monday despite a dismal disciplinary record comprising 54 weeks worth of suspensions for a range of offences including biting, gouging, head-butting and swearing at a referee.
The 29-year-old hooker is viewed by head coach Eddie Jones as the type of combative player who will help restore the hard edge to England’s pack that was lost under the previous regime.
Replacing incumbent Chris Robshaw with Hartley could be viewed as a decision made contrary to the RFU’s core values of respect, discipline and sportsmanship, but Ritchie sees no conflict.
“If Eddie thinks Dylan is the right captain and he is the best thing to get a winning team, you put it into that perspective,” Ritchie said.
“I don’t see it in balance and perspective as a contradiction in what we have been trying to do and say about the values of the game.
“There is no impediment as far as I’m concerned. This is a call for Eddie and the coaching team.
“There is nothing that would make you say ‘no don’t go down this route’. It’s a facet that’s important for the head coach to do.”
Bakkies
Guest
'To think the gent is not English stock to begin with would raise eyebrows but being a disciplinary headache adds a new dimension.' Hartley is not the first non Englishman to captain England in any sport.
Bakkies
Guest
Well it didn't stop Martin Johnson from being England captain. His suspensions dished out by the AP judiciary conveniently finished one week before England were due to play.
Bakkies
Guest
Bans in Europe are from all forms of Rugby. It's the bans on Lions Tours and in test season that are a joke. 'the question is why did he being the affected party did not even card him? after all he is the same barnes who carded hartley for obscene language!' Barnes probably copped that it was more advantageous to the Ospreys that he remained on the pitch. He played like an idiot after that and was eventually binned for pinging Alun Wyn Jones to the ground with his forearm in to his neck. Ospreys players didn't even bother pulling him away from their talisman, probably expecting him to do something stupid.
Bakkies
Guest
vice captain.
Bakkies
Guest
'I think swearing at Barnes was also overblown.' Him and his team were warned repeatedly for various infringements didn't address them so got frustrated. Myler proceeded to kick a 22 drop out in to touch which he was warn no to do. He went ahead and did it anyway. His team got mugged at the scrum so he got riled. Hartley constantly opens his mouth at scrum time advising the ref what to do (do Kiwis have that bred in to them or what).
cuw
Guest
calling him an effing cheat is serious :P
cuw
Guest
my point exactly. suddenly rugger is becoming more like ballet !!! people are just talking and doing things without applying common sense. also0 look at the disparity between the bans - one is like 3 times the other. does it mean one guy pushed 3 times harder??? rubbish btw last night match between Bordeaux and clearmont was a cracker and the ref jp doyle did a great job. morgan para had a brain explosion which cost clearmont a place in the 1/4s. but what a match with like 8 trys :)
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Yes that was a NZ NPC match and he received a 5 week suspension.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Swearing during a game would be one thing. Calling the referee a cheat - with or without swearing - would be another issue.
ben
Guest
Im sure it was Ben Tameifuna who pushed the same ref...Glen Jackson.
ben
Guest
Ha...as he abuses someone....granted not verbally though.
ben
Guest
Dont know what commentary you listened to...but i re visited it on youtube and the pom commentator, after hartley has walked off, says it was a deserved red card. Obviously the adjudicators didnt share your "opinion" and neither do I.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Juan Smith pushed a referee into an attacking player in 2010. It was during phase play and the referee actually was preventing Smith from attempting a tackle. Not sure if he was even sanctioned.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well I'm sure a captain who is warned by referees for the way he is speaking to them will work out well...
Taylorman
Guest
Or maybe he might start watching for once? "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” He'd have made a great pre match coach!
Taylorman
Guest
"I did not say that verbally abusing anyone was acceptable so grow a brain..." Quote of the day? :-)
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
it is an oxymoron to say - great player and a good leader but volatile and a gamble....he is a risk and when a Team needs a cool head - you can forget asking Hartley anything...
Swamprat
Guest
we've now got an Aus coach and a kiwi captain. Ludicrous to think a knee jerk reaction to the RWC debacle has led to a wholesale sacking of the ENGLISH leadership values. Shakespeare will be turning in his grave at the thought of it. Twickenham appears to be rudderless which is surprising given the healthy state of the game here.
Not Bothered
Guest
Yep, thats the risk. I personally think that Hartley is a very good SP hooker and he works hard around the park. Hes no Coles in the running department and hes not as good as Biz over the ball but hes a quality player. He is a good leader too but its hard to lead from the naughty chair.
wardad
Guest
England maybe,not much good if hes not on the paddock.