Warren Gatland’s early frontrunner for Lions captain is as obvious as it is controversial

"He hasn't been suspended for a while. That's a big tick against his name." - Warren Gatland

Sometimes Gatland makes tongue-in-cheek remarks. We'd imagine this was one of them. True, it has been a year since Dylan Hartley has received a suspension. He has totted up 50 weeks' worth of them in his career and escape further sanctions due to unclear TV footage. Playing on the edge is a euphemism for the England hooker. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/691722998953447425 Irish fans know all about Hartley. He was suspended for 26 weeks for an eye gouge on Johnny O'Connor, eight weeks for biting Stephen Ferris' finger at Twickenam and two for unloading three elbows on a prone Rory Best at Franklin's Gardens. He had a run-in with Robbie Henshaw in 2015 but many felt he was justified in shoving the young centre as he was in an offside position. Asked about the prospect of Hartley captaining the British & Irish Lions in his native New Zealand, next summer, Gatland did not flinch.

"He's matured, and he's done a great job with England."

From the outside, looking in, it is hard to tell whether Hartley has fully matured. He still plays on the edge though and still pisses a lot of folks off. The England captain certainly has winning pedigree. He has led his team to a Six Nations Grand Slam and a 3-0 whitewash over the Wallabies, in Australia. Dylan has always played on the edge and that has been one of the traits that has made him such a competitor as a player. Hartley captained England to the Grand Slam in the Six Nations and a 3-0 series whitewash of Australia. Gatland did allude to 'certain advantages' of selecting captains he has previously worked with. Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones would fall into that category. Ireland captain Rory Best played with Gatland's Lions in 2013 but was only selected after Hartley was banned for calling referee Wayne Barnes a 'f***ing cheat' during an Aviva Premiership final. The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.