ENGLAND CAPTAIN DYLAN Hartley let down himself, his club Northampton and his country after being sent off against Leinster, according to national head coach Eddie Jones.
Hartley, 30, was red-carded for swinging an arm at Sean O’Brien just six minutes after coming on in Northampton’s European Champions Cup loss to Leinster on 9 December.
He was subsequently banned for six weeks — meaning he will be available in time for the Six Nations — but Jones says the New Zealand-born hooker is not on his “last chance”.
“He has let down himself, he has let down his club and he has let down his country,” Jones said in a Daily Telegraph interview published today.
“Dylan will be more disappointed than anyone about what has happened and he has got to cop the penalty, because the World Rugby directive on protecting the head is 100% right.”
Hartley’s ban means he has been suspended for 60 weeks over the course of his career.
His latest suspension runs out on 23 January, less than two weeks before England’s Six Nations opener against France at Twickenham on 4 February.
“He is eligible for selection for the Six Nations and it comes down to the case for every selection,” Jones added.
“We pick the best 23 and if he is in the best 23, then he has a chance to be captain.
“This is not the last chance for him, but he understands that he can’t behave in the way he did.”
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