Dylan Hartley
Encyclopedia
Dylan Hartley is an English, New Zealand
born rugby union
footballer who plays at hooker for Northampton Saints
, and England
.
, East Sussex
in 2000 and enjoyed the game through local teams and the Beacon Rugby Academy, where he competed with English, Scottish and Italian rugby hopefuls before being picked for Sussex and later divisional and England schoolboys.
. Hartley joined Northampton in the summer of 2005.
Hartley started in a 2006–07 Heineken Cup quarter final victory over Biarritz Olympique
. That season, Northampton were relegated from the Premiership.
The following season Northampton won the EDF Energy Trophy and secured promotion from the RFU Championship
. Hartley started for Northampton as they defeated Bourgoin
in the final of 2008–09 European Challenge Cup. On 22 July 2009, Hartley was made Northampton Saints captain, replacing Bruce Reihana
.
. In February 2007, Hartley made his debut for the England Saxons
, against Italy A
.
itself. However, he was banned for 26 weeks on 24 April 2007 after being found guilty of gouging, banning him until October 2007. His club, Northampton Saints
, were set to appeal against the decision but decided to withdraw their appeal. During his suspension he visited sports psychologist Steve Peter in a bid to deal with his lack of on-field control.
during the 2008 end of year rugby tests
against the Pacific Islanders
. Hartley made his first start for England against Argentina
at Old Trafford
in June 2009.
Further accusations of gouging were made against Hartley following the Calcutta Cup
game in March 2010. "It's incredible that he has not been cited," said France
head coach Marc Lièvremont
, although it must be noted that Lièvremont made this comment after two very strong bans were given against French international squad players for the same offence. Ross Ford, the player allegedly gouged by Hartley, made no complaint after the incident.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
born rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer who plays at hooker for Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
, and England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
.
Early career
Hartley was born in New Zealand, but qualifies to play for England through his English mother. He moved to CrowboroughCrowborough
The highest point in the town is 242 metres above sea level. This summit is the highest point of the High Weald and second highest point in East Sussex . Its relative height is 159 m, meaning Crowborough qualifies as one of England's Marilyns...
, East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
in 2000 and enjoyed the game through local teams and the Beacon Rugby Academy, where he competed with English, Scottish and Italian rugby hopefuls before being picked for Sussex and later divisional and England schoolboys.
Domestic career
Hartley joined Worcester Warriors, representing the club in the 2004–05 European Challenge Cup2004–05 European Challenge Cup
The 2004–05 European Challenge Cup was the ninth year of the European Challenge Cup, the second tier rugby union cup competition below the Heineken Cup.-Round 1:-Round 2:...
. Hartley joined Northampton in the summer of 2005.
Hartley started in a 2006–07 Heineken Cup quarter final victory over Biarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup...
. That season, Northampton were relegated from the Premiership.
The following season Northampton won the EDF Energy Trophy and secured promotion from the RFU Championship
National Division One 2007-08
Leeds Carnegie joined National Division One, having been relegated from the Guinness Premiership after the 2007-08 season. Otley and Manchester were promoted from National Division Two....
. Hartley started for Northampton as they defeated Bourgoin
CS Bourgoin-Jallieu
CS Bourgoin-Jallieu is a French rugby union club currently competing in the second level of the French league system in the Pro D2. The club have been runners-up in the French championship and the Challenge Yves du Manoir competitions, and have won the Challenge Cup.Founded in 1906 as "Club...
in the final of 2008–09 European Challenge Cup. On 22 July 2009, Hartley was made Northampton Saints captain, replacing Bruce Reihana
Bruce Reihana
Bruce Trevor Reihana is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is an utility back and currently plays professional rugby for Union Bordeaux Bègles....
.
International career
Hartley represented England at the 2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship
The 2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship was played in Argentina throughout June 2005. The final was played between South Africa and Australia at Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza...
. In February 2007, Hartley made his debut for the England Saxons
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
, against Italy A
Italy A national rugby union team
The Italy A national rugby union team are the second national rugby union team in Italy after the national side. They compete every year in the IRB Nations Cup.-Fixtures:IRB Nations Cup 2010...
.
Eye-gouging incident
Hartley was expected to play some part in England's Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, if not the 2007 Rugby World Cup2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
itself. However, he was banned for 26 weeks on 24 April 2007 after being found guilty of gouging, banning him until October 2007. His club, Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
, were set to appeal against the decision but decided to withdraw their appeal. During his suspension he visited sports psychologist Steve Peter in a bid to deal with his lack of on-field control.
Senior Team
Hartley received his first cap for EnglandEngland national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
during the 2008 end of year rugby tests
2008 end of year rugby tests
The 2008 end of year rugby tests, also known as the Autumn internationals saw Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, the Pacific Islanders and Canada tour the northern hemisphere. The tour ended with the traditional 'final challenge' Barbarians match, against Australia, which was the...
against the Pacific Islanders
Pacific Islanders rugby union team
The Pacific Islanders rugby union team is an international rugby union team, started in 2004, that represents Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. While Niue and the Cook Islands are not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they did supply players to the squad for the Pacific Islanders' tour in 2004...
. Hartley made his first start for England against Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
in June 2009.
Further accusations of gouging were made against Hartley following the Calcutta Cup
Calcutta Cup
The Calcutta Cup is a rugby union trophy awarded to the winner of the annual Six Nations Championship match between England and Scotland. It is currently England's since the 2009 Six Nations Championship....
game in March 2010. "It's incredible that he has not been cited," said France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
head coach Marc Lièvremont
Marc Lièvremont
Marc Lièvremont is a former rugby union footballer and was the head coach of the French national rugby union team. He played as a back-row forward for France, gaining 25 caps from 1995 to 1999, and was selected in France's 1999 Rugby World Cup squad...
, although it must be noted that Lièvremont made this comment after two very strong bans were given against French international squad players for the same offence. Ross Ford, the player allegedly gouged by Hartley, made no complaint after the incident.