FOUL PLAY IN RUGBY
Dylan Hartley at risk of Six Nations demotion
The England captain runs the risk of an eight-week ban at a hearing after his red card in Friday’s European Champions Cup match
London — England captain Dylan Hartley will discover on Wednesday if his latest disciplinary infraction costs him missing the start of their Six Nations title defence. The 30-year-old New Zealand-born hooker — who has served 54 weeks of suspensions in his career because of various disciplinary issues — will appear at a hearing over his sending-off in Friday’s European Champions Cup match between his side Northampton and Irish province Leinster. He had been on the pitch for just six minutes when he was given a red card by referee Jerome Garces for swinging an arm at flanker Sean O’Brien, who subsequently failed a head injury assessment, and with England coach Eddie Jones sitting in the stands. Jones surprised many by appointing Hartley captain when he took over after the 2015 World Cup. But the choice proved inspired, with Hartley captaining the side to a record-equalling 14th successive win just more than a week ago. Nevertheless, Jones was seen running his hand down his face at Har...
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