ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Thursday Nov 7, 2019

Dylan Hartley announces retirement from the game through injury

Former England captain and Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley has announced his retirement following a lengthy battle with injury.

ADVERTISEMENT

Often a controversial figure within the game, Hartley was capped 97 times for his country and amassed 251 appearances for Northampton in his career.

“The last few months have been difficult mentally and physically as I’ve come to terms with the fact that I am no longer able to compete,” he said.

“I am extremely proud of my journey, both with Saints and representing England, but now is the right time to hang up my playing boots.”

Hartley was made England captain at the start of Eddie Jones’ tenure in 2016, but a loss of form and various injuries led to him being left out of the World Cup squad this year.

The New Zealand-born player said that he was privileged to have played for his adopted country, but admitted that his indiscipline contributed to “some powerful lows”.

“My career wasn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m privileged to have experienced some amazing highs while there have also been some personal lows, all of which are powerful experiences that will stay with me forever.

“The final chapter of my career was supposed to go a different way, but that is the nature of professional sport.”

Hartley was famously sent off in the Premiership final in 2013 for calling referee Wayne Barnes a “f***ing cheat”, which resulted in him being left out of the British and Irish Lions successful tour of Australia that summer.

He was also red carded after just six minutes for Northampton against Leinster in 2016, while England captain. At that time, Hartley had chalked up almost 60 weeks of suspensions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hartley’s career will no doubt be tainted by his disciplinary record but his playing record and influence on team-mates during games will also go down as one of leadership and commitment.

Related Articles

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Tuilagi set to leave England

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Alex Davies returns from injury

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Eddie Jones Set For NRL



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    La Rochelle centre Seuteni produces other worldly offload in dominant victory

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson comes within seconds of a Tuilagi haymaker

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African Panel Debate Apparent ‘Clean Cut’ Red Card In Interesting Debate

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 12 HOURS AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 14 HOURS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stephen Jones’s deleted rugby 7s article leads to hilarious wikipedia update

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: DHL Stormers Celebrate Munster Victory In Style

View All

Amateur

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Steve Hansen makes statement following Folau selection

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    O'Gara gives honest response on Ireland job in passionate interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

View All