Northampton vow to defend Dylan Hartley from goading

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jan/15/dylan-hartley-northampton-goading

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Dylan Hartley returns to lead Northampton at Ospreys on Sunday following his suspension with team-mates vowing to step in quickly if they see opponents trying to goad the England hooker.

Hartley was sent off against Leicester last month after reacting to being held off the ball by elbowing Matt Smith in the face. He received a three-week ban, which was seven days more than it would have been had his disciplinary record been good. He has been banned for a total of 47 weeks in his career and while he is expected to be named in England’s squad next week, he has twice been warned about his conduct by Stuart Lancaster.

“Dylan understands he has made a mistake and he wants to get back on the horse,” said the Northampton back-row Phil Dowson. “It is a great opportunity for him to show his maturity and his experience. There have been occasions when he has been under pressure and reacted badly and there have been others when he has reacted really strongly.

“We have all spoken about it but he is a smart lad. I am sure he has considered all the possibilities and all the players will be there supporting him. Opponents will look to goad him and it is up to all of us, from Dylan, the squad and the coaches to make sure that does not have an effect. He has served his time and he will come back better.”

Dowson said Hartley had spent some of his spare time painting the home dressing room at Franklin’s Gardens in the club colours of green, black and gold. “He did an awful job and it had to be touched up,” he said.

“He is someone who is combative and plays on the edge and it is difficult to get across how good a leader he is when people just see the times he crosses the line. He is impressive, a natural leader rather than someone who has read about it in books, and he has created a culture here without being schoolmasterish. I cannot say enough positive things about him.”Northampton know Hartley will receive a warm reception in Wales where, less than three weeks later, England start their Six Nations campaign. Having missed the last three matches and playing for less than 20 minutes before being sent off against Leicester, the Saints will not be keeping him out of the line of fire: they need to win at the Liberty Stadium to set up a group decider against Racing Metro the following week.

“Dylan will be motivated because he wants to put in a couple of big performances before his hoped for involvement in the Six Nations,” said the Northampton attack coach, Alex King. “He has had a couple of frustrating weeks not being able to play, but he has done his time and we move on. We speak to Dylan all the time and he is at an age when he needs to be self-aware and responsible, not letting anything distract him from his game. If he is provoked by opponents, his team-mates will be quick to sure that the referee does not have the opportunity to make a decision against him.”

While Hartley will be back, the England second row Courtney Lawes, who has not played since the victory over Leicester, has yet to be passed fit. “He has a slight ankle injury that needs to be managed,” said King. “He has to come back 100%. It is too early to say if he will be fit for Sunday. It is important he is right when he returns, whether that is this week, next week or the week after.”