Hartley doesn’t recall lifting trophy

Editor

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 19: Dylan Hartley of England holds the RBS Six Nations trophy after England won the Grand Slam during the RBS Six Nations match between France and England at Stade de France on March 19, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Rondeau/Getty Images)

England captain Dylan Hartley doesn't remember lifting the Six Nations trophy during the post match celebrations following their 31-21 Grand Slam triumph over France in Paris on Saturday.

The hooker was taken off the field on a stretcher after receiving a blow to the head in a clash with France tighthead prop Uini Atonio and took part in the England celebrations at the Stade de France after being patched up – but the 29-year-old said the experience is all a bit of a blur.

"After being knocked out and taken off on a stretcher I can't remember any celebrations," Hartley wrote in his column in The Sun newspaper.

"I can't remember the trophy presentation, the victory lap or seeing my aunty and uncle in the crowd. It's a weird feeling so I've looking at a lot of photos to piece it all together and there are bits coming back to me.

"When I came round on the pitch I tried to convince the medical staff that I was fine and hadn't been knocked out, but they were having none of it. It would have been obscene to carry on."