England Rugby Union Captain

[nickyboy]

Interesting decision for the powers that be. On one hand he has a terrible disciplinary record. On the other hand he's been captain during a record-equalling winning sequence

I bet they keep him as captain

 

[Fab Foodie]

Interesting decision for the powers that be. On one hand he has a terrible disciplinary record. On the other hand he's been captain during a record-equalling winning sequence

I bet they keep him as captain

I think a Captain needs to lead by example. He's had his chance and failed.
I think it's an important lesson for Rugby to maintain very high standards of discipline.

 

[subaqua]

I think a Captain needs to lead by example. He's had his chance and failed.
I think it's an important lesson for Rugby to maintain very high standards of discipline.

54 weeks of bans in his career that is over a year of bans in 10 years FFS.

if he gets a short ban then it makes a mockery of the maintaining high standards

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I think a Captain needs to lead by example. He's had his chance and failed.
I think it's an important lesson for Rugby to maintain very high standards of discipline.

Professional win-at-all-costs attitude now prevails at elite level. Which is why he has been allowed his comebacks.

He will take his punishment from the panel. Why should he then be punished twice, by being stripped of captaincy, and then a third time by being dropped from the squad?

If he leads England to another Grand Slam, and then leads the Lions to victory* the average English rugby fan won't give a fig about his flaws or his record.

*or even a plucky defeat.

The above is not my personal view. I would not even pick him.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

54 weeks of bans in his career that is over a year of bans in 10 years FFS.

if he gets a short ban then it makes a mockery of the maintaining high standards

12 weeks I reckon. * is the top end for the offence plus three for being a nobber and an extra week for not being English.

 

[subaqua]

12 weeks I reckon. * is the top end for the offence plus three for being a nobber and an extra week for not being English.

My missus just looked at me funny and said- HARTLEY . when i laughed very loudly at the last part of explanation

 

[JD42]

I think the Welsh are hoping he gets dropped...any crumb to give them some kind of faint hope for the upcoming thrashing they will get..

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I think the Welsh are hoping he gets dropped...any crumb to give them some kind of faint hope for the upcoming thrashing they will get..

I think a lot of genuine, if, admittedly, old-school, pre-open era, England rugby fans, like me, regret that, in order to win, we need a player of Hartley's background and character in the side at all let alone as captain.

The game has changed.

 

[JD42]

I think a lot of genuine, if, admittedly, old-school, pre-open era, England rugby fans, like me, regret that, in order to win, we need a player of Hartley's background and character in the side at all let alone as captain.

The game has changed.

I agree..it has...but come on..we both know that old school was just as bad if not worse than it is today, they just never got caught out due to the ability nowadays to check 'the big screen'.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I agree..it has...but come on..we both know that old school was just as bad if not worse than it is today, they just never got caught out due to the ability nowadays to check 'the big screen'.

Worse today because of the size and strength of the players, but, it is true that, at that level, nothing happens by accident.

 

[LarryDuff]

Bet you he gets 5-6 weeks ban so he can be back for the 6 nations.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Bet you he gets 5-6 weeks ban so he can be back for the 6 nations.

8 weeks minimum.

£50 to the charity of the winners choice?

 

[Wafer]

His discipline has been pretty impeccable for England as captain. Not that 11 months with a clean record is anything to get too excited about...
Some have suggested his form hasn't been great recently anyway, and that if he wasn't captain Jamie George would be starting...

Interesting to see how Jones handles it, his facepalm in response to the card was mildly amusing!

 

[JD42]

He is alot more consistent in the line out department than George I feel.

 

[rich p]

I thought it was de rigeur to give out a few clumps in rugger. Are they all going soft these days?