Hartley faces fight with concussion symptoms

England captain Dylan Hartley's involvement in this summer's tour of South Africa looks in doubt as he battles concussion symptoms.

Hartley has missed Northampton Saints' last two games after he showed concussion symptoms following England's Six Nations defeat to Ireland more than three weeks ago.

Northampton Saints have not given a time frame for Hartley's return to the playing field as he must still pass the graduated return-to-play protocols - which entail coming through six stages of increased training – but the Northampton coach, Alan Dickens, confirmed he is yet to do so.

"Dylan reported concussion symptoms after the Ireland game so it’s one of those – he'll go through the return-to-play protocols," Dickens said in an interview on The Guardian's website.

"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."

Hartley has a history of head injuries. In the 2015/2016 European season, he missed 14 weeks of action after suffering to head injuries.

England are already set to be without Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes for their Southern African tour due to injury.

Source: The Guardian