Hartley faces Paris fitness fight

CAPTAIN Dylan Hartley is a doubt for Saturday’s Six Nations match against France after England were hit by a spate of training injuries.

Hartley pulled up with tightness in his calf on Monday evening and was unable to train yesterday, so Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has been called up as cover.

Cowan-Dickie will sit on the bench with Jamie George promoted to starting hooker if Hartley is unable to shake off the problem by the time Eddie Jones names his side tomorrow.

With Sam Underhill and Jack Nowell ruled out with respective toe and ankle injuries, and Harry Williams, another of England’s replacements in Edinburgh a fortnight ago, struggling with a neck issue, Jones will be forced into changes for Paris. He may also have to name a new captain, with Owen Farrell next in line to lead the side.

Forwards coach Steve Borthwick said: “Dylan trained yesterday and felt a bit of tightness afterwards. He will be assessed again in the morning and we will see how that develops.”

James Haskell is set to replace Underhill with Elliot Daly, who last played on December 17, likely to come in for Nowell, who will also miss next week’s game against Ireland. Kyle Sinckler is on standby for Williams.

All three were Lions tourists in the summer and, with Sam Simmonds also fit again, England are not short on strength in depth but the disruption is a headache.

England place great emphasis on the intensity of their squad sessions but Borthwick denied over-training had caused the injuries.

“Our training is appropriate,” said Borthwick. “Jack’s injury was the same ankle he has rolled previously, Sam had his toe trodden on. It is just unfortunate really for the players and we’re disappointed for them.”

Bath back row Zach Mercer is also out of contention with an injury he picked up against Harlequins last weekend.

OSPREYS prop Rhodri Jones has been called into the Wales squad ahead of Sunday’s game against Italy as a replacement for Wyn Jones.