Hartley doubtful for England summer tour

England captain Dylan Hartley may not be available for the three-Test series against South Africa in June as his club coach Alan Dickens provided an update on his fitness.

The Northampton Saints hooker has yet to return to domestic action after experiencing concussion symptoms following the Six Nations game against Ireland last month.

Dickens admitted that he is unsure as to when Hartley will return: 

“Dylan reported concussion symptoms after the Ireland game so it’s one of those – he’ll go through the return-to-play protocols,” Saints coach Alan Dickens told Sky Sports.

“In terms of the focus on concussion now, it’s a concern for all the players. That’s why they’re so stringent in terms of the process to return to play. We’ll do what’s right by Dylan.”

The 93-Test cap veteran has a history of concussions and suffered a similar problem two years ago missing 14 weeks of the 2015-16 season.

The 32-year-old has missed the last two games in the Premiership for Northampton Saints but England head coach Eddie Jones will be desperate to have his captain fit for the tour.