The appointment of Dylan Hartley as England’s latest captain has certainly raised eyebrows throughout the rugby universe.
While a number of former players have wished the hooker well, the support is far from unanimous, with many England rugby fans vociferously opposed to the Northampton man’s appointment.
While Hartley remains one of the best players available to Eddie Jones in his position, his continued failure to eradicate his on-field disciplinary issues is a worry.
The 29-year-old has represented England 66 times since debuting in 2008, but it could have been even more. Hartley has spent a combined 54 weeks of his career unavailable, due to suspensions arising as a result of six separate indiscretions.
Here, Sport360 looks back at each of his misdemeanors, and the punishment he served.
APRIL 2007: 26-WEEK BAN
The first – and worst – of his crimes, Hartley was cited for making contact with the eye area of Wasps back row forwards James Haskell (a future team-mate at international level) and Jonny O’Connor.
He hadn’t yet made his debut for England, but was considered as an outside bet to be a member of that year’s World Cup squad before the incident occurred.
The hooker was banned for 26 weeks for an act deemed atop the list of rugby’s most heinous acts.
MARCH 2012: 8-WEEK BAN
The hooker made an instant impression in his first Six Nations campaign for England… by biting Irish flanker Stephen Ferris during a facile 30-9 home win.
The indiscretion saw him sidelined for 8 weeks after the case was reviewed.
DECEMBER 2012: 2-WEEK BAN
Not content with one suspension in a calendar year, Hartley ensured an extended break over the Christmas period when he punched his opposite number Rory Best in a European Cup pool clash.
Northampton lost on the day, and lost their hooker for a further 2 weeks.
MAY 2013: 11-WEEK BAN
If gouging is viewed as the worst physical crime on a rugby field, confronting the referee in an aggressive manner is not far behind on the sport’s list of unacceptable behavior.
Having already been warned about his language, Hartley labeled Wayne Barnes a “f***ing cheat” in the final of the 2013 Aviva Premiership.
The hooker was immediately shown the red card, and despite claiming at his hearing he wasn’t directing the tirade at Barnes, he was suspended for 11 weeks. The ban ruled him out of a potential Lions tour to the country of his birth, New Zealand.
DECEMBER 2014: 3-WEEK BAN
A second December meltdown in two years again saw the red mist descend, and the red card quickly follow suit. Hartley lashed out carelessly with his elbow, connecting with the nose of Leicester centre Matt Smith in a Premiership tussle between the two rivals.
As well as being sent for an early bath, the hooker sat out a further 3 weeks.
