England coach Stuart Lancaster disappointed with Dylan Hartley's latest act of indiscipline
Thursday 1 January 2015 08:28, UK
England coach Stuart Lancaster will speak to hooker Dylan Hartley after his latest disciplinary misdemeanour.
Hartley has been banned for three weeks by the RFU for elbowing Leicester's Matt Smith while playing for club side Northampton – it is the fifth suspension of his career.
The 28-year-old is a key member of Lancaster's squad and he is keen to chat with Hartley about his behaviour before the start of the Six Nations in February.
Lancaster said: "I have not spoken to Dylan. I did not want to do anything until the disciplinary process was followed through, and obviously he has a ban to serve.
"He knows as much as anyone the importance of on-field discipline. He will have been disappointed in himself to put himself in that position. I will have a conversation with him."
Lancaster was speaking in Newcastle, where a World Cup 2015 sign was being unveiled on the Tyne Bridge, and he feels the tournament is going to be wide open with as many as eight teams competing for the Webb Ellis Trophy.
He said: "Every team is going to strive to win - if that's not your ambition, then there's something wrong.
"I think the real strength of this World Cup in 2015 is the vast number of teams that can potentially win it.
He knows as much as anyone the importance of on-field discipline. He will have been disappointed in himself to put himself in that position. I will have a conversation with him.
"Obviously New Zealand are number one in the world and quite rightly so, but if you look across the board there are six, seven or eight teams that have the potential to win. That's what makes it such an exciting tournament this time round."
Lancaster was also asked his thoughts about the impact Sam Burgess has made since his switch to the 15-man code, and he revealed he will speak soon with Bath coach Mike Ford about the former Super League and NRL star before thinking about including him in an international squad.
Lancaster said: "We have two more Premiership games and two rounds of Europe to go before we name the squads.
"He has made a tremendous start in the sport. Everyone's expectations are probably too high in terms of expecting someone to learn the game straight away.
"But from what I have seen - I watched him the other night when he played for the A team, and I think he is doing really well. We need to give him time and make a decision near the time.
"We would certainly see him and trust Bath in terms of what they are doing with him, the way they are developing him. I have a meeting set up with [Bath coach] Mike Ford soon. Sam is learning the game, so we will see."
