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Dylan Hartley's Ban Highlights Hidden Problem for Warren Gatland

Dylan Hartley's sending off exposed a looming problem for Warren Gatland. Picture: Getty Images

Dylan Hartley’s sending off prompted widespread outrage and demands for his name to be removed from the list of possible Lions’ captains – but it may have exposed an even bigger problem for Warren Gatland ahead of next summer’s tour, writes James Harrington.

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England captain Dylan Hartley’s red card and subsequent six-week ban for that clothesline on Sean O’Brien during Northampton’s European Champions Cup third-round home defeat to Leinster prompted immediate calls for Warren Gatland to scratch his name from the list of possible captains for next summer’s Lions’ tour of New Zealand.

He was handed a mid-range sanction after being cited for striking an opponent, and will be able to return on January 23. It means that he will be available for England for their opening 2017 Six Nations’ match against France on February 4, no doubt to the relief of Eddie Jones, but to the howling dissatisfaction of many.

A high-end sanction would have seen him miss, at least, the opening matches of the tournament.

Detractors’ demands regarding the Lions’ captaincy – loud and vociferous and impassioned as they were and as justified as they may have been – miss an important point.

The fact is Hartley has never been a shoo-in for the Lions’ captaincy. Not even close.

Gatland himself gently pointed this out when asked whether the incident at Franklin’s Gardens would have any bearing on his choice of skipper. “It’s so early to be thinking that far ahead,” he told Sky Sports. “There are a number of people who will be in contention for a potential captain’s role. It is about picking the squad first.

“To be fair to Dylan, in the last 12 months he has had a great track record … Hopefully he will take his punishment and get back for the Six Nations and hope he goes well.”

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Other public Hartley apologists – including RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie and former Lions’ coach Sir Ian McGeechan – have also been quick point out that the England captain’s behaviour on international duty has been nothing short of exemplary.

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Gatland’s coy comments are being interpreted as a door held open for Hartley.

But they may hide a bigger issue – that the coach is not sure there’s an obvious captain out there. So, who could be in the frame? Probably not Hartley, despite Gatland’s warmish, comforting words, but also probably not Wales skipper Sam Warburton, his go-to man in 2013.

On current form alone, neither Hartley or Warburton would get a game for their national sides, let alone the Lions. This latest ban notwithstanding, Hartley has been a rare sight in Saints’ clothing since he was named England captain, and Warburton has fallen down the Wales’ flankers’ pecking order.

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Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw, meanwhile, is also a long way down the list of likely Test scrum-halves, which means – at this stage – the captaincy is surely not an option.

Which leaves Rory Best. He’s a different player from the one who endured a fairly miserable tour of Australia in 2013. Back then, concerns over his lineout throwing meant he was not included in the original tour party. Ironically, he was only called-up when Hartley was scrubbed from the squad after his foul-mouthed disagreement with referee Wayne Barnes during that year’s Premiership final led to an 11-week ban.

But the jitters returned during a midweek defeat against the Brumbies before the first Test, and Best could not break into the Test squad, remaining very much third-choice behind Richard Hibbard and Tom Youngs.

Four years’ later, the lineout appears to be a concern no longer, after Best worked hard to improve that area of his game. And Gatland has guardedly endorsed the Ulsterman’s credentials. He told the New Zealand Herald: “He is scrummaging well, he is experienced. He has grown into that leadership role. There is a lot to admire about Rory Best.”

But, like Hartley, the Ireland skipper suffers a problem in the shape of Saracens’ hooker and Hartley’s international understudy Jamie George, who must be on glowing brightly on Gatland’s radar as a Test starter.

The coach has given himself a bizarre out by insisting the tour captain is not guaranteed a Test place – but it is surely logical to assume that, injury permitting, the Lions’ captain will start the big games. And if Best, Hartley, Laidlaw and Warburton are not on that teamsheet, who could it be?

In 1997, an unexpected name was selected to captain the Lions on their tour of South Africa. Two years later, he became captain of England. Four years after that, he lifted the World Cup.

Two decades later, it may be the time has come for another Martin Johnson moment.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 3 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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