Sir Ian McGeechan: 'Dylan Hartley should be England captain'

Sir Ian McGeechan has said that Dylan Hartley should be named as the new England captain.

The Northampton Saints hooker has made 69 appearances for England but missed the Rugby World Cup due to suspension.

"This situation needs a strong personality and character to lead England. And Hartley is that man. He has been captain of Northampton. It is not as if it is a new role for him," McGeechan wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.

"Yes, there is an element of the gamble about it because of Hartley's disciplinary record, but that is where you back yourself as a coach.

"You have to give Hartley a very clear understanding of what you expect from him. Yellow cards simply cannot be a part of it."

England head coach Eddie Jones is widely expected to drop Chris Robshaw as captain ahead of their Six Nations opener against Scotland in February.