Dylan’s fitness battle

DYLAN HARTLEY may not play before England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland as he struggles with a knee injury. The Northampton hooker, 32, is out with what his director of rugby Chris Boyd described as a ‘grumbly’ knee. While the New Zealander does not know the extent of the injury, Hartley is being managed closely. ‘He might not play again for the club before going into England camp,’ said Boyd. ‘We’ve removed him from training, he’s doing his own thing. ‘I know he’s been working incredibly hard, doing two or three sessions a day. Apart from that grumbly knee, he’s in pretty good nick. ‘It’s not ligament, maybe grumbly means he’s got some meniscus issue or it might just be wear and tear. I would have thought he would make the Six Nations but those grumbly knees can keep grumbling. ‘James Haskell’s ankle was exactly the same. He chose the surgical route. Dylan’s chosen the rehab route.’ Eddie Jones picks his England squad on January 17 before the Ireland match in Dublin on February 2.