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Reuters

England rugby coach Eddie Jones is confident Dylan Hartley will be ready to captain the side when the Six Nations kicks off early next month.
Northampton hooker Hartley, who has not played since December 9 when he was sent off for striking and handed a six-week ban, will be put through a series of tests on Wednesday to prove his match fitness ahead of the February 4 opener against France.
“Dylan has been training the house down, and we expect him to be ready to go,” Jones told the BBC.
“He’s got a few hurdles he still has to jump, and if he jumps those and jumps them well, he’ll be captain of the side.”

Hartley is available from January 23 following the completion of his ban but is unlikely to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
“I have never seen him in better physical condition,” Jones said.
Blow for England as they lose injured Chris Robshaw for upcoming Six Nations title defence
“He is training very hard. He is going to have a game-like training session tomorrow [Wednesday] I believe and we will see how fit he is.”
“We are anticipating that he is going to be right and ready to go for the Six Nations.”

Harlequins prop Joe Marler may also return more quickly than expected from a broken leg, Australian Jones added.
Marler was expected to be out for up to six weeks, but Jones would not rule him out of the Twickenham clash with France.
Dylan Hartley let himself, club and country down, says England coach Eddie Jones
“His recuperation might be quicker than we think,” Jones said. “There is always a chance. There is certainly hope there.”
Jones is due to name his squad on Friday.


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Eddie Jones confident Dylan Hartley will be fit for Six Nations opener against France

England captain Dylan Hartley is likely to be available for the start of the Six Nations. Photo: AP

Britain Rugby Union - England v Australia - 2016 Old Mutual Wealth Series - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 3/12/16 England head coach Eddie Jones during the warm up Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Rugby Union - France v England - RBS Six Nations Championship 2016 - Stade de France, St Denis, France - 19/3/16 England's Joe Marler in action with France's Gael Fickou Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

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The England captain is training the house down as he serves a six-week ban for striking
