It's good to see that bad behaviour in rugby is still treated with the disdain it should be, even if it's at the cost of supposedly weakening your squad (though to say that Hartley is the be-all and end-all of English hookers is to do a disservice to those below him in the pecking order. At the same time, it's disheartening to see the howls of protest from so-called rugby fans about this decision. It's not as if this incident, relatively minor as it is, is the first time he's been found wanting, discipline wise.
2007 : Eye gouges two Wasps players : 26 week ban.
2012 :
Cited for biting Stephen Ferris : 8 week ban
2012 :
Elbowing Rory Best : 2 week ban
2013 :
Swearing and accusing Wayne Barnes of being a cheat : 11 week ban and dropped from Lions
2014 : Elbows Matt Smith : 3 week ban.
2015 : Headbutts Jamie George : 4 week ban and dropped from England World Cup Training Squad
2011 :
Dylan Hartley PINCHES opponent
2015 :
Dylan Hartley yellow-carded for stupidity
As a comparison, in Wales, it's fashionable at the moment to see Liam Williams as the answer to our back-line conundrum. Yet for me, the guy is a downright liability who picks up red cards and sin binnings all too easily. His talent is undoubted, yet many seem to forget he cost us a win in South Africa. His ability is needed and wanted, yet I always wonder where and when his next brainfart will be. No doubt I'd want Wales to win and to field their strongest team. But I'd rather win with 15 clean players than 14 clean players and someone in the bin for being an idiot.