England captain Dylan Hartley expected to be fit for France battle

By Lyall Thomas

Image: Dylan Hartley has been superb as England captain in the Six Nations

Eddie Jones has retained three hookers in his squad as England prepare to face France in the Six Nations Grand Slam decider, but Dylan Hartley is expected to be fit.

The Red Rose skipper, who has been superb in the tournament, did not train with the rest of the group on Tuesday afternoon, but did take to the field in the morning.

Jones is understood to want to reduce the volume of training for some players who are preparing for their fifth and final Test in Paris on Saturday.

Image: Dylan Hartley did not train on Tuesday afternoon but is expected to be fit

After England sealed victory over Wales at Twickenham last weekend, victory will ensure England are the dominant team in Europe.

Sale Sharks hooker Tommy Taylor, who was called into the 32-man squad on Sunday, has been retained as the travelling reserve along with Hartley and Luke Cowan-Dickie, while Alex Goode also remains with the squad despite not featuring against Wales.

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Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby) have returned to their clubs after being named in Sunday's group.

Forwards: Kieran Brookes, Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Clifford, James Haskell, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Joe Marler, Matt Mullan, Chris Robshaw, Tommy Taylor, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola

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Backs: Mike Brown, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Alex Goode, Jonathan Joseph, Jack Nowell, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs 

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