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Dylan Hartley: New England captain's rap sheet misdemeanours

England hooker Dylan Hartley, most likely, has a regular chair in the citing commisioner's office. Below we discuss the incidents which have put him there.

Monday 25 January 2016 18:28 GMT

New England captain Dylan Hartley (Getty Images)

Eddie Jones announced on Monday that Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley was to be his new England captain. Whilst the appointment had received heavy media speculation, it came as no surprise to see the Roturua-born forward being brought in from the cold.

It’s an obvious statement from Jones who is looking to bring some snarl and rambunctiousness to a previously blunted England forward pack. Commenting on his decision Jones said “As a former captain of Northampton Saints and someone who has a lot of experience playing for England I have every faith he will lead the team tactically and passionately.

"English rugby is indebted to Northampton to have produced such a fine player.

“Dylan is an honest, hardworking bloke and I admire his aggressive and uncompromising approach to playing rugby.”

And whilst Jones may admire the hooker’s mentality on the pitch, in the past it has boiled over on numerous occasions. From frequent off the ball scuffles to gouging and biting, Hartley has faced 54 weeks of bans in his career so far. Added to 13 club yellow cards, many argue that he is a loose cannon who is easily riled.

Below we’ve compiled a definitive list of some of Hartley’s worst offences; click on the gallery to see the list.

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

Show all 11

1/11Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

The Early Years and Club Yellow Cards

Pictured here getting to know Leicester centre Sam Vesty; the new England captain joined Northampton from Worcester in 2005. He gained his first yellow card in a September game against Gloucester. Since then the hooker has amassed 12 more yellow cards; keeping him off of the pitch for two hours and ten minutes during games.

2006 Getty Images

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

April 2007 vs Wasps: Gouging (26 week ban)

Pictured here putting in a hit on hooker Rob Webber, Hartley's earliest serious misdemeanor came against Wasps. James Haskell and Johnny O'Connor eye area had come into contact with Hartley's hand. The subsequent ban was the longest handed out to an English player since 1998; resulting in Hartley missing the 2007 World Cup in a year in which Saints were relegated.

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

Sept 2011 vs Georgia: Handling in the ruck (yellow card)

Hartley's first England card came in a nervy 41-10 victory against their pool minnows. Whilst not directly affecting the result, it was an unnecessary gift to a side that England should have not struggled against

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

March 2012 vs Ireland - Biting (8 week ban)

Following a quarter-final World Cup exit, England experienced a revival under a Stuart Lancaster led Six Nations. A loss against Wales prevented a Grand Slam, however, a resounding win against Ireland marked the end of a the tournament. Hartley, however, found himself cited after the match for a tenuous bite on Stephen Ferris' finger, his record of 'five years good behaviour' prevented a heftier ban.

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

June 2012 vs South Africa - Handling in the ruck (yellow card)

In the final game of a three match summer tour the Roturua-born forward found himself banned once again for not rolling away. In a match that finished 14-14 Hartley's indiscipline didn't cost England the game, but those with more active imaginations could have envisaged a win had all 15 men stayed on the field of play.

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

December 2012 vs Ulster - Striking (2 week ban)

Cited after the game, Hartley was involved in an off-the-ball scuffle with opposite number Rory Best. His actions went unpunished in a 25-6 loss to the Irish side. Following the game the Northampton hooker expressed "remorse" for his actions.

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

May 2013 vs Leicester Tigers - Verbal Abuse (11 week ban)

On the brink of half-time in a Midlands derby Premiership final Hartley took it upon himself to call referee Wayne Barnes a "f------ cheat". The Northampton captain went into the tunnel head in hands and awestruck at his own actions. Leicester eventually triumphed 37-17 after 24 second half points for Leicester.

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

March 2014 vs Sale Sharks - Scuffle off the ball (yellow card)

In his first incident since the verbal abuse of Barnes, Hartley initiates a tumultuous year by scrapping with New Zealand born centre Sam Tuitupou. Both player received yellow cards in a game that Northampton went on to lose 19-6.

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

November 2014 vs South Africa - Stamping (Yellow card)

After a loss to New Zealand the week before Hartley's yellow card for a stamp of South Africa's Duane Vermualen did not help England's cause. On a maul moving forward the hooker took it upon himself to stamp on the number 8 to the collected ire of the crowd. Writing in The Sun he protested his innocence "I swear there was no malice in what I did. I’m furious at myself … I hope people won’t blame me for another narrow defeat. "

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

December 2014 vs Leicester - Strike with elbow (3 week ban)

In another Midlands derby, in another off-the-ball scuffle Hartley was sent off for throwing an elbow at Leicester centre Matt Smith. Only a month after his yellow card in England's autumn internationals and 18 months after he shattered his own Lions dreams, Hartley was left to rue the mistakes of another red card. Many argued that the elbow was accidental, but the hookers reputation preceded him.

Dylan Hartley bans and misdemeanours

May 2015 vs Saracens: Headbutting (Four week ban)

Another occasion in which Hartley wasn't punished on the field of play. After contributing to a driving maul try, his over zealous celebrations saw him make head to head contact with Saracen Jamie George. The citing commissioner handed down a four week ban after Northampton's loss which spelled the end of his England World Cup dream.

With a list of offences longer than his own right arm, is Hartley the right man to lead a renewed England? Let us know your opinion in the comment section below.

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