Dylan makes the headlines again

[Russ]

Has Rory been cited?

No

But Haskell is NOT a dead drug dealer

[BaggyTrousers]

Has Rory been cited?

For what? Not gouging?

[BR]

Has Rory been cited?

For what? Not gouging?

Contact with the eye or eye area.

[WeeWorld]

Surely the fact that SOB failed the HIA and was unable to retake the field will have a bearing on the case and will hopefully mean a ban of at least 12 weeks.

Sadly, like you Baggy I suspect that 6 weeks may well be the case.

I think that O'Brien passed the HIA?

[Snipe Watson]

Has Rory been cited?

For what? Not gouging?

Contact with the eye or eye area.

Did you see any such contact? I didn't.

[BR]

Has Rory been cited?

For what? Not gouging?

Contact with the eye or eye area.

Did you see any such contact? I didn't.

I believe I did, yes. But no doubt the disciplinary officials will have a better view than any of us.

[Shan]

Rugby Football Union chief Ian Ritchie says Dylan Hartley's conduct as England captain must count in his favour when considering his future in the role.
He said: "Dylan has clearly played a fantastic part in captaining the team, on and off the pitch just to be clear.

"His leadership credentials are very strong. He's made a huge contribution, as Eddie would say.

"So you view all these things in perspective and in perspective one looks at the totality of what he's done and what's happened over the years and I think we should be supportive of that.

"Ultimately we'll see what happens - I'm not going to talk about the disciplinary process as you know. That will take it's course and we'll see what happens out of that.

"If he's eligible for selection it's ultimately a matter for Eddie, but we should recognise and support all that Dylan has done in the last 12 months.

"It is primarily a matter for Eddie and if you look back over it, Eddie's judgement has been really good. We should recognise that and I'm sure we will."

Not really a surprise. They didn't take into account that he is a thug before so why should this really change things. Expect to see Hartley leading England in the 6Nations. With a bit of luck that will work in our favour.

[shamalicious]

Did anyone else hear Barnes blame Mallinder for not reining him in at Northampton when they were discussing the incident before the Ulster match? Couldn't believe my ears. Hartley is a grown man and should be accountable for his actions. Barnes was essentially saying it's down to the coach to control a player and that Mallinder had failed in this area.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Rugby Football Union chief Ian Ritchie says ......
"So you view all these things in perspective and in perspective one looks at the totality of what he's done and what's happened over the years "

Not really a surprise. They didn't take into account that he is a thug before so why should this really change things. Expect to see Hartley leading England in the 6Nations. With a bit of luck that will work in our favour.

I agree with the quoted part of what Ritchie says ....

.....but as it's a disciplinary matter, they should look at the totality of what Dylan has done in that field and take that inti consideration.

Rugby Football Union chief Ian Ritchie says "..... I'm not going to talk about the disciplinary process as you know."

....But ....BUT ..... BUT .....


.... that's EXACTLY what you've been doing Mr Ritchie - trying to influence the beak!

[BR]

Hartley is a grown man and should be accountable for his actions.

I heard Barnes say exactly that.

His comments were giving a possible reason why Hartley's new responsible behaviour in a white shirt was not transferring to the club game. He wasn't making excuses.

[BR]

Hartley is a grown man and should be accountable for his actions.

I heard Barnes say exactly that.

His comments were giving a possible reason why Hartley's new responsible behaviour in a white shirt was not transferring to the club game. He wasn't making excuses.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Thon Ian Ritchie fella speaks a lot of sense sometimes ...

On the George North affair he has now said, "Concussion is definitely a big challenge. We have to address it head on."

Not much gets past Ian, that's fer shoor!

[BaggyTrousers]

Has Rory been cited?

For what? Not gouging?

Contact with the eye or eye area.

You'd have to think that accidental contact with the eye area is a feature of most games.

Anyway, no citing says it best.

[BaggyTrousers]

Surely the fact that SOB failed the HIA and was unable to retake the field will have a bearing on the case and will hopefully mean a ban of at least 12 weeks.

Sadly, like you Baggy I suspect that 6 weeks may well be the case.

I think that O'Brien passed the HIA?

He did and is expected to play at the weekend, however that is hardly relevant, his appalling record and the cowardly action.

And now the archprick Sir Clive weighs in:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... paign=1490

This is the top of his article, I have not and will not read the rest

Stand by Dylan Hartley... don't turn the England captain to turn into a pussycat
Dylan Hartley was sent off for Northampton Saints against Leinster on Friday
He saw red for a swinging arm at flanker Sean O'Brien at Franklin's Gardens
There has been a lot of hot air and over-dramatising of the situation
If another player had been the perpetrator, it wouldn't be such a cause celebre
Sometimes you need a tough, abrasive, confrontational guy leading the troops
In his 13 Tests as England captain, his behaviour has been beyond reproach
A bigger concern is Hartley's lack of game time at Saints and no leadership role

I have thought a lot of things about Sir Clive Knobwood but I'd never openly said I thought he was a moron.

Sir Clive, you are a moron.

[BR]

Is he a right moron or a right moron though?

If another player had been red carded for a swinging arm on Friday, I suspect it would not be attracting the same attention here or in the media (how many threads is it on here alone?)
Three valid reasons why Mr Hartley is receiving extra comment:
1) His record
2) His role as England captain
3) The speculation over his potential role with the Lion's

None of which are anything to do with whether his guilt or innocence of the offence, and in theory only one should impact any sanction.