HART START BIG BOOST FOR SAINTS
NORTHAMPTON’S bid for a first Premiership title next weekend could be reinforced by the return of club captain and England hooker Dylan Hartley.
Hartley, who was sent off in last season’s final defeat against Leicester and subsequently missed out on the British and Irish Lions’ tour to Australia because of suspension, has not played since late March.
He suffered a shoulder injury during Saints’ Premiership loss at home to the Tigers and has been fighting a fitness battle ever since.
Hartley’s England colleague Tom Wood skippered Northampton to Amlin Challenge Cup final glory through a 30- 16 victory over Bath on Friday night, a result that ended Saints’ run of four successive defeats in major finals.
But rugby director Jim Mallinder confirmed 28- year- old Hartley – who has won 55 caps – is now taking contact in training, which will also come as a boost for England head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Lancaster is without Leicester hooker Tom Youngs for next month’s three- Test tour to New Zealand, while London Irish No. 2 David Paice is absent through injury and Bath’s Rob Webber has also been sidelined.
Selection
Although Hartley would miss the first Test in Auckland on June 7 because of next weekend’s Premiership showdown with Saracens, he might now be in contention for the demanding trip to All Blacks territory.
“We have got a chance that he comes back into the equation, which might give us a completely fully- fit squad to choose from, so selection for next week is going to be massive,” Mallinder said.
“He has improved again. He trained with the non- matchday 23 this week, so he’s been out with them doing everything that they’ve done.”