Dylan Hartley was named England captain for the Six Nations Championship despite a poor disciplinary record featuring more than a year's worth of suspensions.

Dylan Hartley has been confirmed as England captain for the Six Nations Championship.

Hartley has led the Red Rose on one previous occasion - against South Africa in 2012 - and replaces Chris Robshaw at the helm despite missing over a year of his career for disciplinary reasons.

Hartley has been capped 66 times and was the preferred choice for the role despite amassing 54 weeks worth of suspensions for offences including eye-gouging, biting and swearing at a referee, forcing him to miss two World Cups and one British and Irish Lions tour.

The 29 year-old will skipper England during the Six Nations, starting with the February 6 game with Scotland