England manager Eddie Jones ready to name Dylan Hartley as his new captain

England manager Eddie Jones is considering naming Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley as his new captain, according to reports. The 29-year-old is one of the national side's most experienced options having been capped 66 times for his country but was dropped from the World Cup squad after being banned for a headbutt on Saracens' Jamie George.

It was the latest in a string of disciplinary problems that have resulted in him amassing 54 weeks' worth of suspensions during his career. In addition to the headbutt, Hartley has been banned for eye-gouging, biting, punching and elbowing opponents.

Despite that, reports suggest Jones is ready to wipe the slate clean. Chris Robshaw has been England skipper since 2012 but was targeted by Jones in his column during the World Cup, suggesting his days with the armband are numbered.

"Chris Robshaw wears number seven but he is a six and half at best," Jones wrote for the Daily Mail. "He is not hard over the ball and he's not quick. He is a useful player but he is not an out-and-out open-side flanker. Robshaw is an outstanding club player but at international level he just doesn't have the point of difference. He carries OK, he tackles OK, but he is not outstandingly good in any area. I think that is his limiting factor."