Rugby: England sticking by Dylan Hartley despite another red card

Dlyan Hartley collects Sean O'Brien on the side of the head. Photo / Twitter

Dylan Hartley is expected to retain his captaincy of the England rugby team despite another lengthy suspension from the game looming following a sending off in the weekend.

Hartley will be handed a suspension between 5-8 weeks tomorrow after being sent off for landing a swinging arm on the head of Sean O'Brien in Northampton's defeat by Leinster.

During his career he's already compiled 54 weeks of bans for such thing as biting, gouging and butting.

He could miss England's opening Six Nations games against France on February 4 but England Rugby Union chief executive Ian Ritchie is still backing the New Zealand-born hooker to remain captain.

"I think Dylan's got credit in the bank," Ritchie told BBC Sport.

"I think most people would say it's been a fantastic year. We've had 13 wins out of 13 and Dylan has made a huge contribution and he should be allowed to continue that.

"Dylan has clearly played a fantastic part in captaining the team, on and off the pitch just to be clear. His leadership credentials are very strong. He's made a huge contribution.

"So you view all these things in perspective and in perspective one looks at the totality of what he's done and what's happened over the years. I think we should be supportive of that."