WATCH: Dylan Hartley sees red for Northampton Saints against Leinster
Saturday 10 December 2016 13:11, UK
England captain Dylan Hartley's disciplinary problems returned as he was sent off in Northampton Saints' defeat to Leinster on Friday night.
Hartley was red-carded just six minutes after coming on as a replacement as his Northampton side slumped to a 37-10 defeat in the European Champions Cup.
Hartley, who had started on the bench following autumn international duty, replaced Mikey Haywood after 50 minutes for his 50th appearance in the tournament.
However, the 30-year-old hooker was soon heading off in disgrace for a a swinging arm to the back of the head of Leinster flanker Sean O'Brien.
The incident could now dent Hartley's hopes of captaining the British and Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand next summer.
The result condemned 2000 champions Northampton to a second defeat in three Pool 4 games and allowed Leinster to cement top spot.
Saints ended the game with 13 men when replacement forward George Pisi was yellow-carded for a high tackle.
"It's happening too much," said Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder of his team's woeful disciplinary record.
"The players don't do it on purpose but you have to be so careful now. We have spoken about it over the last few weeks and we have had our disciplinary issues and it continues to haunt us."
Click play on the video above to watch the incident unfold..
