For those who march behind the banner of the Red Rose it’s a very sad day for the great Dylan Hartley has retired. Whilst others may look to Farrell, to Carling, to Johnson for me Hartley was the greatest England captain, perhaps save for Wavell Wakefield, for it was Hartley, a New Zealander, who best understood what it is to be England captain, namely to be utterly hated by all others.
Richard III features the line “if I cannot make a great hero, then I shall make a great villain". So it was with Hartley, a man more often remembered by the BBC for his “rap sheet" which made him the greatest rapper since the equally loved Eazy E. In Ireland, where Martin Johnson stood his famous ground on the carpet, he was akin to St Brendan or Cu Chulainn when compared to Hartley.
In the aftermath of the nice guy neglect of the Lancaster years, it was Hartley who led the return on England, giving the world of rugby the proverbially finger in the eye - I think he’d like that analogy. England roared back, a grand slam, back to back six nations, the joint longest winning run in rugby union history etc.
But for me, the great man’s crowning glory was the whitewashing of Australia on their own turf, the only side to do that in my lifetime. To let Dylan Hartley have the last word in this testament, when asked, after winning the second test and the series what it meant to rugby, to England and to him he replied
“It doesn’t mean anything, we go again next week"
God is with us, for our captain
posted on 7/11/19
Great quote.
From an Ulster rugby sports fan who wanted England to beat SA when nobody else here did .🤣
Still loved 2003 world cup win.
posted on 7/11/19
Great servant and such a shame that another player retires early due to injury.
Ironically, I remember championing his cause when Youngs was being picked ahead of him and more recently saying he held the shirt too long when it became clear George was a superior player.
I wish him luck with whatever he turns his attention to.
posted on 9/11/19
Have 5 mate.
Dylan had his doubters, decryers and demonisers but as Saint I echo your words at club level. There were times when he was more sinner than saint but EVERY coach he worked with at club or international level had him as their captain. Dressing rooms were also behind him to a man.
According to Shakespeare, wasn't it Henry V who exhorted his troops with "Cry God for Hartley, England and St. George"