England skipper Dylan Hartley’s Down Under dream is back on track after he gets green light to return for Northampton following concussion
ENGLAND skipper should be able to tour this summer following concussion scare and is back for Northants
DYLAN HARTLEY is on track to be a part of England’s tour Down Under ths summer after being given the green light to play for Northampton.
Red Rose skipper Hartley has not played since leading his country to the Grand Slam in Paris seven weeks ago, when he suffered a concussion.
But the hooker is expected to return for Saints in their final match against Gloucester on Saturday, with England to play three Tests in Australia in June.
Saints coach Alan Dickens said: "Dylan's bouncing around the place and back to his usual self — so hopefully he’s good to go. He’s done a full week of training and has been going through the return-to-play-protocols.”
Hartley has taken advice from Wales star George North, who had his own concussion hell before last summer’s World Cup.
Saints winger North said: “Dyls has been around the house a few times.
“I think anyone who has had concussion can really sympathise. The average Joe doesn’t see a cast around the head or strapping around the brain.
“It’s not an injury where you have a physical issue. So it’s very difficult to come to terms with.”