There's a war or words brewing between Neil Francis and Dylan Hartley. After Hartley was suspended for three weeks before Christmas for another red card, Francis has today come out with a scathing article calling for him to be kicked out of rugby. It's Francis' second piece relating to the conduct of rugby players. Hartley has now responded, implying that Francis is a 'snake'.
Hartley was in the bad books again for this elbow during Northampton's visit to Welford Road to play the Leicester Tigers. His subsequent three week ban now takes the total bans that Hartley has received in his career up to 53 weeks.
There have been some questions from the English media about whether the selection of Hartley for the English national team is an asset or a liability. Neil Francis has now had his say in the matter, and believes there is no place for Hartley in rugby.
I have no respect for Hartley as a player and the way he has conducted himself over his career.
Francis, himself not adverse to controversy, claims that Hartley's presence in the game of rugby union is at a detriment to all, and that he should be stopped from playing the sport.
There is an absolute in sport and it is this: if you cannot play it without illegally injuring your opponents then you should be stopped from playing it.
Francis advises that it will be a matter of time before Hartley offends again given his disciplinary records and deplores his Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder who persists in defending his captain. Mallinder isn't the only target of Francis' barb; the English media are criticised for giving Hartley too much credit, while the RFU disciplinary committee is condemned for the "shamefully insufficient punishment".
Now, Hartley has taken to Twitter to hit back at Francis.
Strong opinions out there today.
— Dylan Hartley (@DylanHartley) January 8, 2015
My downfalls have been on the field for everyone to see. You hide away writing opinion and not fact, never to be held accountable. Snakes.
— Dylan Hartley (@DylanHartley) January 8, 2015
Given what we know about both Hartley and Francis, this feud is only beginning. Neil Francis hasn't been known to back down from a fight, while Dylan Hartley is a repeat offender.
Picture credit: Sportsfile
