SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 2 hrs 11 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

England

Dylan Hartley opens up on Eddie Jones relationship

:Headline: Dylan Hartley opens up on Eddie Jones relationship: ID:410318: from db_amp
The former England captain has recalled the brutal way he was told he would not be going to the World Cup.

Dylan Hartley insists that by the time his England career was over he could no longer take being "governed" by Eddie Jones as he revealed the brutal way he was told he would not be going to the World Cup.

Hartley was appointed skipper by Jones when the Australian replaced Stuart Lancaster at the end of 2015 and was at the helm for successive Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam.

But the 34-year-old, England's third most capped player, then suffered concussion before he was prevented from taking part at Japan 2019 by a knee injury that forced his retirement in November.

In an interview printed in the Daily Telegraph, Hartley said that he felt "like a piece of meat, thrown in the bin because it was past its sell-by date. I'd had enough of being governed by Eddie."

Dylan Hartley said he had had enough of being "governed" by Eddie Jones (PA)

As he battled to prove his fitness, he was eventually told by Jones: "You're f*****, mate".

Hartley continues: "Even by the standards of the 6am texts he delivers while running on the treadmill, which make the recipient's balls tighten and the brain melt, this phone call was brutal... he was effectively ending my England career with three words."

The Northampton hooker, who also voices respect for Jones and states he is the best coach he played under, would not allow his family to come to England training camps because "it would have felt like a prison visit".

He added on Jones' sessions: "Anyone who looked even slightly out of shape had about as much chance of survival as a wildebeest wandering into a herd of lions. By matchday I was absolutely f****** b*******ed.

Northampton hooker, Hartley says Jones is the best coach he played under (PA)

"If I'm honest it was just turning up, wanting just to get through the game and win so I could have a nice week, an easier week with Eddie."

Hartley is also critical of the way his contemporaries have been treated by the game after making his Test debut in 2008.

"My generation of players have been crash dummies for a sport in transition from semi-professionalism," he said.

"It's being reshaped, subtly but relentlessly, by money men, geo-politicians, talking heads and television executives. They treat us as warm bodies, human widgets.

"It would be wrong to attempt to skirt the unavoidable truth that as players become bigger, faster and stronger they will be chewed up and spat out quicker. It is a given, therefore, that we need to insist on the highest standards of care."

amp_article__410318 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-08-14 16:23:51:
html db last update - 2020-08-14 16:23:51 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Dylan Hartley

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .