Dylan Hartley: England captain to miss South Africa tour with concussion

By Chris JonesBBC Radio 5 live rugby reporter

Last updated on 23 April 2018.From the section Rugby Union174

England captain Dylan Hartley has been ruled out of the summer tour of South Africa because of concussion.

The Northampton hooker has not played since sustaining a head injury in last month's Six Nations loss to Ireland.

Following specialist medical advice, the 32-year-old will now take an extended period of rest.

"It has been recommended that I take a break this summer and while I find that decision hard to accept, it's important I listen to that advice," he said.

England face the Springboks in three Tests, starting in Johannesburg on 9 June.

Hartley suffered a series of concussions two years ago, but returned to lead his country on the tour of Australia in June 2016.

He said he was "very disappointed" to miss the remainder of this season and is looking to return to action in time for the next campaign.

"I intend to use this time to recover fully from my injury, so I can be ready to hit the ground running when pre-season training starts later this summer," he added.

England are already without Bath backs Anthony Watson (Achilles injury) and Jonathan Joseph, who needs surgery on his left foot.

Forwards Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) and Nathan Hughes (Wasps) were ruled out in March with knee ligament injuries.

Meanwhile, former England flanker Steffon Armitage has ruptured an Achilles tendon and will be out of action for up to nine months, his French club Pau said.

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@8 you are so wrong! Scrum caps do not stop the brain hitting the inside of the skull.
What does that Armitage line at the end have to do with England?
This is actually a shame, as will now prob mean George gets taken down to ZA when he could really use a rest. Same goes for Robshaw or Ford, who likewise haven't had a break but we'll now need as leaders.

Hartley's also a damn good player, and has actually been quite disciplined and strong for England. Seems to rub some fans up the wrong way it seems, but we shouldn't be celebrating this!
Farrell and Itoje should be rested over summer too. This is an excellent opportunity to grow the leadership group - if Billy is back and Jones doesn't want to pick one single captain, It would not be a bad thing to re-use the vice captaincy idea again. Robshaw, Launchbury and Billy as forward leaders, Ford, Brown and Youngs as backs leaders and pick one or two match day captains from those.
To the meatheads who will kill RU.

I’ve provided a link to the declining participation numbers in RU, and the response from Welsh RU devotees who state the game is dying due to the emphasis on bulk. A kid at school watching a sport shouldn’t be thinking...”if I down five protein shakes and hit the gym for two hours each day I will be set up for RU”. No, he should be having fun with the ball.
Resting players this summer certainly makes sense. Not being disrespectful to South Africa, but England were simply not at the races in the six nations and rest to recover and then a proper pre-season will help.
"May struggle to get back in team. Always subbed and poor discipline. Eddie must know he’s a liability"

Hartley has a better international disciplinary record than Sam Warburton. He's never been red carded at international level.
8 - Furthermore, are you aware that Amateur Boxing has stopped using head guards (at the Olympics at least), because they discovered that MORE injuries were suffered by those wearing them? Concussion isn't caused by head impacts, necessarily, but by the head moving suddenly & at speed, particularly rotating. A chest-high tackle can cause it. Scrum caps won't protect against that!
I agree with the first comment someone like Itoje needs a break. Its easy to forget he only really broke through 2 and a half years back and has been on a hell of a treadmill with Sarries, England and the Lions over that time. I cant see it happening mind.
8 - Just need to be careful with this approach, it's how American Football helmets started and now they lead with their heads causing more injuries!
As a Welsh supporter I'm not a great fan of DH but this is worrying for the guy especially with a young family who depend on him. Best thing he can do is take a leaf from Sam W's book and have a complete break with the aim of getting back in time to face the AB's in the Autumn.
As a matter of interest, given the hits they take and give in RL, why don't we ever hear of concussion issues there?
@4. Posted by StrongAndStable

Arrant nonsense start to finish. Central contracts don't stop players playing club rugby and these "pointless overseas tours" aka Internationals finance every facet of the game. Where do you think the RFU and every other Union gets its money from Einstein?
English fans will no doubt see this as simply a Welshman having a dig.. But this is probably the best thing for England a year before the World Cup. Your Capt has to be the best in his position. The first name on the team sheet, and Dylan isn’t either. Gives a chance for a new Capt to bed in.

This will be good in the long run for England... but not so good for the rest of us.
Best thing for him to rest but afraid the game will leave him behind. England must have better hookers than him.
Another one to leave behind is Haskell.... just a big lump hanging around the edges not actually doing anything.
Every cloud has a silver lining, proves Hartley does actually have a brain
On a serious note I hope the summer tour is used to blood youngsters and the old guard like Robshaw, Haskell, Cole etc have a rest
@68 totally agree. I think we have seen the last of Hartley playing for England. Jamie George should have a couple of dozen starts for England by now to be fair, but this is the honourable way for the captain to bow out without the indignity of being dropped.
@61

You’ve got no clue clearly.
South African Rugby is on the up again.

As far as talent and match ups go, SA have (probably) the best hooker in the world in Malcolm Marx and the rest of the team are just fine.
The only glaring weaknesses, I would say, are the back three who are very suspect on defence.
If England go in with the same view as you then you will be very dissapointed.
Step forward Mr George
Hartley has made a tremendous contribution as captain. I wish him a speedy recovery. The risk of permanent damage is high and his long term future should be the priority.
Sorry to hear that Hartley has got to rest due to concussion, not because he will mis the SA tour purely for his health. But don't understand the criticism he is abrassive and belligerent but lets face it the front row is not for the faint hearted. Lets hope EJ takes plenty of new faces to SA, dont worry about the results, lets see how they handle a full blooded tour because SA will bring it.