Hartley can't scrummage.

[Daveyboy]

Congratulations to Northampton on winning their group by winning every game - not an insignificant achievement.

Considering that Dylan Hartley is the current No1 England hooker, when is someone (ie a referee) going to notice that he "pops up" at nearly every scrum. I noticed this at Welford Road, when Tigers played Saints recently, and last night against Castres.

During the 6N, he is bound to be picked up on it, to England's discredit.

[Stu_F]

He struggles with his throwing as well!

Is hooker his best position?

[norfolkexpat]

He is becoming a bit of a liability
Very feisty ( commendable ) but sometimes way over the top
Needs to improve pronto...

[WiggoTiger]

It depends on the ref whether he gets pinged every time. Interesting to see it in action if/when we play them in the 1/4's of the Heineken. He never stays in the scrum as he more interested in being out in the loose.

[G.K]

Ah someone else has noticed. For amusment I like to count the seconds until his head pops up.

[Purebob]

I'd pick Hawkins every time over Hartley.

[markymark]

[Jay C]

As England's first choice and his club's captain, I would assume he has a good grip of the basics of playing in his position.

Hopefully in an England shirt over the next few weeks we will see the best of him - then he can be rubbish again for stains

[Daveyboy]

And how can he not stay in the scrum when he is the hooker and the last one out of it

[Bill W (2)]

Is hooker his best position?

For Saints yes. For England his best position is on the bench!

[fleabane]

Mardymark,

Hartley "not staying in the scrum" does not refer to him physically leaving it - it refers to his head and upper body popping up above the scrum, for which he should be pinged.

This has been a topic of conversation at our part of the Crumbie when ever we play Stains. (We don't need Sky to tell us).

[markymark]

Fleabane thanks the pennie has now dropped, apologys guys, must remember not to post when drunk , lol

[mightymouse]

I have been saying the same thing about front rows standing up for a long time and Hartley is a major culprit.

Some front rows drive straight upwards intead of forwards and then claim they have popped the opposition (this was a trick the French started) - This seems to be a favoured tactic of Northampton.

The issue is when you come up against an equally strong front row it becomes more obvious what you are doing and Leicestr and Castre in recent weeks have really made it obvious what saints are up to.

Unfortunately some refs are to dumb to know what is going on. I have an increasing feeling that for top flight rugby scrum refs might be the only way forward. However before we get to that we need to change all this crouch, touch, wait forever, engage, nonsense

[oldborotiger]

Is hooker his best position?

For Saints yes. For England his best position is on the bench!

For the Saxons