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Hartley set to lead England at Six Nations despite Samoa omission

England captain Dylan Hartley

Eddie Jones confirmed that Dylan Hartley is set to be England’s captain for the Six Nations, despite replacing him with Jamie George at hooker for their final November international with Samoa.

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It marks the first time Hartley has been dropped by Jones, but the Australian insisted that, as long as his disciplinary record remains clean with Northampton Saints beforehand, the 31-year-old will lead England in their bid for a third successive Six Nations title.

But against Samoa, George Ford and Chris Robshaw will serve as co-captains, with England hoping to claim their 200th win at Twickenham on Saturday.

“We want to test our ability, if Dylan’s not available, to put a team on the field and have leadership density,” Jones said.

“So, it’s an opportunity for these guys to show it. Dylan understands it’s about developing a team for the World Cup.

“So, it’s not about making anyone uncomfortable. We know he’s a great captain and we know he can do a great job for us. But this is an opportunity for the rest of the squad to show they can step up.

“There’s no decision on the World Cup. The only decision we’ve made is that, all things being equal, and he doesn’t have one of those ‘mystical’ experiences at Franklin’s Gardens, that he’ll be captain for the Six Nations.”

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Asked about the decision to have Ford captain the backs and Robshaw the forwards, Jones replied: “Why not? You could have three captains. I’ve had a team that’s had four vice-captains.

“Just because the tradition is that you have one captain, it doesn’t mean that you have to have one captain. There’s nothing that says you have to have one captain.”

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Another 8 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

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