Dylan Hartley was born in New Zealand but moved to England in 2000 and qualifies to play for his adopted country through an English mother. Having started his career with Worcester he joined Northampton Saints in 2005 and despite relegation in 2007 he has since gone on to appear in a Heineken Cup final for the club he is now captain of. Following U21 and Saxons appearances, Hartley won his first cap for the England senior side in 2008 against the Pacific Islanders. The 25-year-old missed out on selection for the 2007 World Cup following a 26 week ban for eye gouging.