Mallinder frustrated by Hartley suspension

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder admits Dylan Hartley has let the team down after receiving a six-week ban for striking Leinster's Sean O'Brien.

Hartley had only been on the pitch for six minutes when he was shown a red card for striking O'Brien with a swinging right arm from behind during the second half of Northampton's Champions Cup loss to Leinster on Friday.

The 30-year-old flanker pleaded guilty to the charge at an independent disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday and the panel found that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby sanctions for the offence, opting for a five-week suspension.

However, a further two-week suspension was added due to his poor disciplinary record before the punishment was reduced by one week because of his guilty plea.

The six-week suspension means Hartley has now been suspended for a total of 60 weeks and Mallinder admits he is frustrated to loss the player at a crucial time of the season.

"Dylan's letting the team down. He let the team down at the weekend. Any time you have a sending off and it's a disciplinary matter, you're letting the team down," Mallinder told BBC Radio Northampton.

"Dylan has had a lot of criticism. I can't say I'm not frustrated about it because clearly I am. The team lost a player at 50-odd minutes when we thought we were in the game.

"We've also lost him for the next few weeks when Mike Heywood really needs a rest. The team is struggling a bit and we need some leadership from our senior players and we've lost that over the next few weeks.

"We're frustrated about that, but Dylan Hartley is part of Northampton Saints. We've supported each over the last 10 years and will continue to do so."

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