JIM MALLINDER SAID Dylan Hartley has let Northampton Saints down after the England captain was banned for six weeks for striking Leinster’s Sean O’Brien.
Hartley was shown a red card for his latest rush of blood, which came soon after he came off the bench in a European Champions Cup defeat last Friday.
The hooker was informed at a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday that he will be available for the Six Nations, but the 30-year-old will be sorely missed by struggling Saints.
Hartley will have been suspended for 60 weeks in his career by the time he is eligible to return and Northampton director of rugby Mallinder has expressed his frustration over the England skipper’s latest misdemeanour.
“I don’t feel he’s letting me down personally, but Dylan’s letting the team down.” Mallinder told BBC Radio Northampton.
He let the team down at the weekend. Any time you have a sending off, or even a yellow card, and it’s a disciplinary matter, you’re letting the team down.”
He added: “Dylan has had a lot of criticism. I can’t say I’m not frustrated about it because clearly I am. The team lost a player at 50-odd minutes when we thought we were in the game.
We’ve also lost him when Mike Heywood really needs a rest. The team is struggling a bit and we need some leadership from our senior players and we’ve lost that over the next few weeks.
“We’re frustrated about that, but Dylan Hartley is part of Northampton Saints. We’ve supported each over the last 10 years and will continue to do so.”
