Hartley is named Northampton co-captain

England skipper Dylan Hartley will share captaincy duties at English Premiership club Northampton in the new season.

Hartley, who has not played since March after suffering concussion, will carry out the job at Saints along with prop Alex Waller.

Hooker Hartley was named in a 44-man England training squad for a three-day gathering this month. He has not yet featured for Saints during their pre-season programme.

Hartley missed England’s threeTest tour to South Africa in June but he has now returned to fitness.

“To keep Dylan in a leadership role was an obvious choice for me,” Northampton rugby director Chris Boyd said.

“He is hugely respected by everyone here at Saints and has led the club brilliantly for several years now. Alex is a pivotal figure at Franklin’s Gardens and his leadership skills are clear to see.”

Saints’ final pre-season fixture is against Glasgow this week before their Premiership opener at Gloucester on September 1.

Hartley has won 93 Test caps, with his last appearance being against Ireland in the Six Nations championship five months ago.

Dylan Hartley