RFU chief: Dylan Hartley's conduct as England captain must count in his favour

"In perspective one looks at the totality of what he's done and what's happened over the years and I think we should be supportive of that."

Dylan Hartley's conduct as England captain must count in his favour when considering his future in the post, according to the Rugby Football Union.

Hartley faces an independent disciplinary hearing on Wednesday to answer for the third red card of his career after being sent off for tackling Sean O'Brien from behind with a swinging arm in Northampton's defeat by Leinster.