Wednesday 21 December 2016 13:49, UK
Eddie Jones says England captain Dylan Hartley "let down" himself, Northampton and his country with his red card against Leinster but denied the player's international future is in doubt.
Saints hooker Hartley was banned for six weeks after he was dismissed in their Champions Cup defeat to the Irish province on December 9 for a high swinging-arm tackle on Sean O'Brien, just six minutes after coming on as a replacement.
Despite Hartley's latest censure, Jones insists he remains in his plans for next year's Six Nations defence.
The player's suspension expires on January 23, leaving him eligible for England's opening game of the tournament against France at Twickenham on February 4.
"Dylan will be more disappointed than anyone about what has happened and he has got to cop the penalty, because the World Rugby directive on protecting the head is 100 per cent right," Jones told the Daily Telegraph.
"He has let down himself, he has let down his club and he has let down his country.
"He is eligible for selection for the Six Nations and it comes down to the case for every selection - we pick the best 23 and if he is in the best 23, then he has a chance to be captain.
"This is not the last chance for him but he understands that he can't behave in the way he did."
Hartley's ban takes his total suspensions in his career to 60 weeks, although his record with England has greatly improved since Jones handed him the captaincy.
