Former England captain Dylan Hartley is set to join Eddie Jones ahead of Japan's clash with England during the fast-approaching Autumn Internationals.
The 38-year-old Hartley, who holds the record for the most England caps by a hooker with 97, will be working with his former coach as Japan prepares for a highly anticipated showdown.
Since his retirement, Hartley has remained involved in rugby, taking up the role of High Performance Lead at Rugby School. In a recent social media post, Rugby School shared their excitement about Hartley’s involvement:
"We can’t wait for Dylan’s involvement in our pre-season rugby training this August. His expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we gear up for the season ahead."
Hartley’s commitment to player development and leadership at the school has been highly praised, but his impending return to the international stage has grabbed even more attention.
Reunion with Eddie Jones
Hartley captained England under Eddie Jones during one of the nation's most successful periods, from 2016 to 2019, which included back-to-back Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam in 2016. Now, the pair are set to reunite, this time with Hartley aiding Japan’s preparations against England.
Speaking to the Mail Online, Hartley expressed his enthusiasm about reuniting with Jones and the impact of his former coach on his career: "Working with Eddie, achieving and wanting more and more... the brutal honesty he showed me means I now walk into any room without nerves. Once you’ve been through the tough stuff with Eddie and thrived, everything else is a breeze by comparison."
Dylan Hartley (captain) of England with Triple Crown Trophy, after the Six Nations Championship match, between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 12th March 2016.- Photo mandatory by-line: Dean Lancaster/Pinnacle - Tel +44(0) 1363 881025 - Mobile 0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 12/03/2016 - SPORT - RUGBY - RBS Six Nations Championship - England v Wales, Twickenham Stadium, London, UK.
Insight into England and Japan Camps
Hartley also revealed that he plans to attend both Japan and England camps during the Autumn Internationals. He will join Jones' Japan setup for the week leading up to their clash with England and, interestingly, will also visit the England camp before their match against the All Blacks. Hartley will take two of Rugby School’s coaches with him to learn from England head coach Steve Borthwick's team.
"It’s a privilege to be back in those environments, to see how hard the guys work and how diligently they prepare. If my two coaches can meet Steve and his coaches and pick up one thing that improves our programme, I’ll be doing my job."
Meet the most banned England players in history, including former captain
In 2016, he received a two-week ban following the “gypsy boy” saga, involving Wales’ Samson Lee, which erupted out of the Six Nations game at Twickenham.
The same penalty was to follow a couple of months later after he was cited for kicking Grenoble hooker Arnaud Héguy while playing for Harlequins in the European Challenge Cup semi-final.
Marler was then banned for three weeks in October 2017 after striking Wasps and now Wales lock Will Rowlands with an elbow and for six weeks later that same season for a shoulder charge on Sale’s TJ Ioane.
He was then suspended for ten week's for grabbing the genitals of Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones in the Six Nations encounter at Twickenham.
And, of course, earlier this season he received a two week ban after the prop made comments towards Bristol flanker Jake Heenan during the sides' Premiership match.
Marler's comments, made during a scrum at in the first half at The Stoop, reportedly related to Heenan's mother, and caused a big melee between the players, after which a penalty was given against the Bristol flanker.
#4.Danny Grewcock - 28 weeks
A second row with something of a short fuse.
Picked up a five-week ban after being sent off for kicking All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver in a Test in Dunedin in 1998, two weeks for punching Lawrence Dallaglio in a club match in 2003, two months for biting All Black hooker Keven Mealamu during the first Lions Test in 2005, six weeks for punching French lock Thibault Privat in 2007 and seven weeks for stamping on Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris in 2010.
Knew his way to the disciplinary offices!
#3.Neil Back - Seven months in total
England flanker Back was in big trouble from the moment he pushed referee Steve Lander to the ground on the final whistle of Leicester’s 1996 Pilkington Cup final defeat against Bath.
He maintained he had mistaken Lander for Bath back-rower Andy Robinson, but it didn’t wash and he was handed a six month ban. In 2005, he picked up a four-week ban for punching Wasps’ Joe Worsley in the Zurich Grand Final.
#2. Calum Clark - 32 weeks
This one still makes me wince. Northampton flanker Clark was found guilty of intentionally hyper-extending and breaking the arm of Leicester hooker Rob Hawkins during the 2012 LV cup final.
The ban was initially for 64 weeks, but was halved due to his guilty plea.
#1.Dylan Hartley - 60 weeks in total
Take a deep breath.
In April 2007, the Northampton hooker was banned for 26 weeks for gouging Wasps duo James Haskell and Jonny O’Connor.
In March 2012, he was suspended for eight weeks for biting Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris while on England duty at Twickenham.
In December 2012, he was handed a two-week ban for striking Ulster’s Rory Best.
In May 2013, he was suspended for 11 weeks for abusing referee Wayne Barnes during the Saints’ Premiership final defeat to Leicester, missing the Lions tour of Australia as a result.
In December 2014, he was banned for three weeks for elbowing Tigers wing Matt Smith, and then in May of 2015 he was suspended for four weeks for butting his Saracens opposite number Jamie George, which led to him being dropped from England’s World Cup plans.
In 2016, he caught Leinster’s Sean O’Brien to the head with a swinging arm from behind, picking up a red card which was followed by a six-week ban.