Skipper Hartley ‘honoured’ to have joined Saints’ 200 club

200-UP - Dylan Hartley in action during his 200th Saints appearance against Ospreys on Sunday (Picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

The skipper brought up the milestone in Sunday’s 20-9 Champions Cup win at Ospreys.

It was a successful return to the side following a three-week suspension, dished out after Hartley was sent off for elbowing Matt Smith in the win over Leicester on December 20.

And the England star was pleased to be back, helping to earn a vital victory and joining the select group of players in Saints’ 200 club.

“Sunday was all about the win, but with that out of the way it’s nice to celebrate the 200,” Hartley said. “There’s plenty more to come hopefully.

“I think only a couple of guys have done it recently in Stephen Myler and Soane Tonga’uiha, but there’s still a long way to go before I’m level with the likes of Vince Cannon!

“It’s something that’s not very common in the modern game though, and I’m honoured.”