Hartley back in England fold for revenge mission against Springboks

DYLAN HARTLEY will return to England’s starting line-up on Saturday to begin the final push towards the Rugby World Cup, with the hooker selected ahead of Jamie George after missing the summer tour of South Africa with concussion.

England have an immediate chance to gain revenge against the Springboks this weekend, having suffered a 2-1 series defeat five months ago, and with just 13 matches between now and the start of Japan 2019, Eddie Jones has recalled his chief lieutenant in the hope of sparking the side into life.

Hartley is fully aware of the danger that George poses, given he started all three Lions Tests last year and was part of the Premiershipwinning Saracens side, but as he prepares to win his 94th England cap, the 32-year-old accepted that he is fortunate to still be able to represent his country given the testing 2018 he has endured after missing three months of action.

Realised

“I’m delighted I’m still here,” Hartley said. “I’m delighted I still have the chance to play for England. Everyone asks about trying to get to 100 games. I can honestly say I’m not counting. I’m just looking forward to the next one because you don’t know when your last game is and your time is up.

“What I’ve realised when people start talking about 100 Tests, it’s a bit like climbing a mountain. The higher you get up it, the harder it gets. That keeps me grounded. I want to make sure I enjoy this weekend.”

Hartley will lead a new-look pack that will feature one of the Exeter Chiefs looseheads, Alec Hepburn or Ben Moon, in the absence of Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler and a host of other options due to injury problems.

But he will not be the only person who leads the team after being named co-captain with Owen Farrell for the Quilter Internationals, with Jones looking to adjust how the leadership of the team is shared across the experienced players.

Hartley stressed though that it is no different to how the pair have operated in the past, given that Farrell took over the captaincy in South Africa, and the relationship between them allows duties to be shared both on and off the pitch.

“It has been in place for the last three years anyway,” he added. “You could chuck another couple of names into that mix. There are guys from Sunday to Friday who help lead and prepare the team that are aligned with the coaches.

“It is for the likes of Owen and myself to really drive it forward and build it up towards the weekend.” (© Independent News Service)