March 2012, received an eight-week suspension after being cited for biting the finger of Ireland forward Stephen Ferris while playing for England in a Six Nations game.

December 2012, banned for two weeks after being cited for punching Ulster hooker Rory Best during a Heineken Cup match.

May 2013, sent off for verbally abusing referee Wayne Barnes during the Aviva Premiership final against Leicester at Twickenham. Received an 11-week suspension that sidelined him for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia which he had been selected for.

December 2014, sent off for elbowing Leicester centre Matt Smith in the face. Banned for three weeks.

May 2015, banned for four weeks after headbutting Saracens hooker Jamie George in Northampton's 29-24 Aviva Premiership semi-final defeat to Saracens. As a direct consequence, England ruled Hartley out of their World Cup plans.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

On the plus side his jam is super

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

On the other hand his quality as a captain and a motivator of players stands for itself, look at how he has done at Northampton.

Saying that i expect him to last all of two matches before he's in trouble lol

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

probably not my first choice.....but you can't deny his passion.hope he does well.

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By *reykiwi500Man over a year ago

West Kent (near Tonbridge)

"New England Rugby union captain...good idea or bad with his past history?

Thoughts please!

Personally I think it's a bad choice "

Bad idea in my view. Too much of a risk with his disciplinary history. I'm sure he motivates his team well and leads from the front, but you can't do that when sitting on the sidelines when sitting out a ban. I hope a vice captain is being appointed.

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By *ost SockMan over a year ago

West Wales and Cardiff

As a Wales fan, I hope he's a disaster!

Seriously though, I know a exiled fellow Wales fan who knows a lot of the Northampton players. he says that Hartley is actually the most friendly, approachable member of the squad when it comes to getting involved with the junior teams from the surrounding area.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman over a year ago

evesham

"As a Wales fan, I hope he's a disaster!

That's all well and good but his behaviour ofthe pitch is of no consequence if he is sin binned or banned through the six nations because of his behaviour on the pitch.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

He gives away far too many penalties through ill discipline and repeated infringements and that will lose games against sides with such good penalty kickers.

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By *alandNitaCouple over a year ago

Scunthorpe

Maybe he can prove us wrong, but I've always worried about the number of silly penalties he seems to give away.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

April 2007, banned for 26 weeks after being cited for eye-gouging Wasps forwards James Haskell and Jonny O'Connor.

March 2012, received an eight-week suspension after being cited for biting the finger of Ireland forward Stephen Ferris while playing for England in a Six Nations game.

December 2012, banned for two weeks after being cited for punching Ulster hooker Rory Best during a Heineken Cup match.

December 2014, sent off for elbowing Leicester centre Matt Smith in the face. Banned for three weeks.

A fine choice then

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

David Beckham was given the England captaincy amid a similar flurry of questions. I would expect this to change him, he will be the disciplinarian in the side, either that or the side will become a collection of thugs

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By *ost SockMan over a year ago

West Wales and Cardiff

"As a Wales fan, I hope he's a disaster!

That's all well and good but his behaviour ofthe pitch is of no consequence if he is sin binned or banned through the six nations because of his behaviour on the pitch. "

Oh yes, I agree with that. Guess I was just trying to say something positive about him.

Me...say something positive about an England player. The younger, more tribal me is appalled!

I think the bigger issue is that he's not been playing that well apparently. Hasn't he been second choice at the Saints recently?

It's certainly a bold move having him as captain. It's either a genius move or a disaster. I've always had a sneaking admiration for the nasty git, but I think he'll cross the line at some point. Some of his indiscretions are just so dull.

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By *olgateMan over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular

"David Beckham was given the England captaincy amid a similar flurry of questions. I would expect this to change him, he will be the disciplinarian in the side, either that or the side will become a collection of thugs"

Beckham made one indiscretion, Hartleys indiscretions fill a book. It would be like making Kenny Burns or Mark Dennis captain of their respective teams at the time. (For the younger fabbers, google them)

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Can see this decision turning out to be a very bad move from the England squad and not the best start from their new manager...I know one thing for a fact our lads (ireland) certainly won't take any shit from Hartley...Could ruin the whole 6 nations this year!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Wrong person, awful track record and frankly the wrong position to be captain. How do you read the game when you're busy giving someone a wet willy in the scrum and rucks?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

England become a collection of thugs! Someone has forgotten the Martin Johnson years.

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By *reykiwi500Man over a year ago

West Kent (near Tonbridge)

"Wrong person, awful track record and frankly the wrong position to be captain. How do you read the game when you're busy giving someone a wet willy in the scrum and rucks? "

Gives a whole new meaning to the expression "going down in the scrum"

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By *ost SockMan over a year ago

West Wales and Cardiff

"Wrong person, awful track record and frankly the wrong position to be captain. How do you read the game when you're busy giving someone a wet willy in the scrum and rucks? "

Maybe Sean Fitzpatrick can offer some insight on that (captaining from hooker)

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Wrong person, awful track record and frankly the wrong position to be captain. How do you read the game when you're busy giving someone a wet willy in the scrum and rucks?

Maybe Sean Fitzpatrick can offer some insight on that (captaining from hooker)

It can happen but it's not ideal. There's a reason very few football captains are goalkeepers...

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