Dylan Hartley in ‘good place’ after concussion worries

Editor

England captain Dylan Hartley says his injury troubles are at long last behind him and he is finally ready to return after an extended break.

After suffering a third concussion in the space of 12 months in England’s Six Nations defeat to Ireland in March, Hartley sought medical advice and took five months off from the game.

This Friday the 32-year-old will make his return from that lengthy lay-off, having been named in Northampton Saints’ side to tackle Glasgow Warriors in a pre-season friendly.

And after a solid pre-season, Hartley says he is in a ‘good place’ and ready to fight for a spot.

“I sought good advice and I trusted what they said would happen and it happened,” Hartley told reporters.

“I am confident I will play rugby until I am 50. I had no concerns, I surrounded myself with the right advice and here I am – ready to play.

“At the time it was disappointing because you want to be involved in everything, you don’t want to miss games.

“But once the decision had been made for me and we agreed on it…I had made peace with that.

“It was a really good time for me. There was no rush, there was no target game for me to get back for or a game I needed to be back for.

“As soon as I took my foot off the gas and stopped trying to make it back every week, which I was trying to do, I felt myself instantly get better.

“Removing those kind of pressures has worked. I have had a good pre-season with the team and I am in a good place to compete for a spot in the next fortnight.”

Northampton open their Premiership campaign against Gloucester on September 1.

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