HARTLEY BLOW CAN OPEN THE DOOR FOR FARRELL

ENGLAND head coach Eddie Jones was facing major leadership problems last night after captain Dylan Hartley ruled himself out of the tour to South Africa. The influential skipper was already out for the season with concussion and now the Northampton hooker will also be absent from England’s three-Test series against the Springboks in June, after his club confirmed that he has been advised to take a long break. It is a worrying setback given Hartley’s history of concussion. Two years ago, he said another significant head injury would force him to consider retirement. For England and Jones, it is also a troubling development. On the back of three straight defeats in the Six Nations, the head coach would have been desperate for Hartley to rally the squad. He is instead left with a dilemma, with Owen Farrell, who was due to be rested, now the leading contender for the role. Hartley will be shattered by this grim predicament. He has been unable to play since the end of the Six Nations on March 17. The 32-year-old said: ‘I’m very disappointed that I will not be available for selection for Saints’ remaining games, as well England’s tour. ‘It has been recommended by specialists that I take a break and, while I find that hard to accept, it’s important I listen to that advice. I intend to use this time to recover fully.’ That amounts to putting on a brave face. Hartley has repeatedly confounded critics who have suggested he should be usurped in England’s front row by Lions Test hooker Jamie George. He has remained an integral figure within Jones’ set-up, despite sporadic appearances for his club. After recovering from two head knocks in quick succession in May 2016, Hartley said: ‘If I got another one now, I would be worried. I would probably start looking at other careers, or a long lay-off. Every time you see your kid, you think: “If I hit my head again, what will that mean?”.’ Jones will consider the captaincy equation knowing he has limited options. Farrell’s case is helped by Saracens’ absence from the final two rounds of this year’s Champions Cup, which means he will have rested more than normal at this stage of the season. Otherwise, there are few obvious contenders.