Wednesday 4 January 2017 10:38, UK
Eddie Jones says Dylan Hartley will captain England at the Six Nations if he can prove his fitness during a pre-tournament training camp in Portugal.
Hartley is serving a six-week suspension after being dismissed during Northampton's Champions Cup defeat to Leinster on December 9 for a high swinging-arm tackle on Sean O'Brien.
The suspension as well as a back problem has restricted the 30-year-old to nine appearances this season, leading to speculation over his captaincy and involvement in next month's competition.
Jones will take his squad to Portugal for warm-weather training ahead of their opener against France on February 4 and he has challenged Hartley to shake off any lingering fitness concerns.
"No one is more disappointed with what happened than Dylan," Jones told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He loves playing for his club, Northampton, he loves playing for England and at the moment he's not doing either.
"Now, if he trains really hard over the next six weeks and comes into Portugal super fit, ready to go, there's a great chance he'll be captain of England again.
"That's what we're planning on, that's what Dylan's planning on and I'm sure we'll get there.
"I think there's an opportunity for him to get one game in before then and that would be great if he can get that game in."
