Hartley vows to return after latest concussion

Dylan Hartley has dismissed any suggestion that he might consider quitting after his latest concussion.

The England captain has been the subject of much speculation since it was announced that the injury would force him to miss the summer tour to South Africa.

Hartley has not played since the final match of the Natwest Six Nations against Ireland on March 17 and, on Monday, his club Northampton revealed that he is to take an extended break. The 32-year-old, who has sustained two previous significant concussions, has been stood down until pre-season, ruling him out of the June series against the Springboks. And Hartley has taken exception to the response to the announcement of his lay-off.

The hooker released on Instagram a post beside a photo of him singing the national anthem. “Believe it or not this is a photo of me singing and not what is rumoured to be a fat lady [difficult to tell apart I know],” he said. “I see there’s a lot of so-called experts out there in newspapers, pubs and podcasts recommending what I do with my career. Funnily enough I’m only listening to the medical professionals and myself. I’ll be back next season to help my respective teams push on. Thank you for your support.”

Two years ago, Hartley was ruled out for a total of 14 weeks because of two separate concussions, the last in the Grand Slam-clinching victory over France in which he was knocked out, and he later conceded he had no memory of the trophy presentation on the pitch.