Dylan Hartley can't remember Six Nations celebrations

England captain Dylan Hartley holds up the Triple Crown trophy. Photo / AP

He may have been part of their Grand Slam celebrations in Paris on Sunday, but England captain Dylan Hartley has revealed he has no recollection of the event after being knocked unconscious.

At a time when rugby concussion is being linked to dementia, Red Rose captain Hartley was carried off on a stretcher in the second half of England's 31-21 win against France after suffering a nasty blow to the head.

The hooker received the accidental knock off the knee of France prop Uini Atonio with 15 minutes remaining of the match and was attended to by England's medical team on the field of play.

Hartley was attempting to tackle the 24st 6lb battering ram in England's half when he was struck by the Frenchman's right knee and appeared to be immediately rendered unconscious.

However, after the final whistle was blown he was able to take part in Eddie Jones' side celebrations at the Stade de France - something that the 29-year-old has little recollection of.

"After being knocked out and taken off on a stretcher I can't remember any celebrations,' Hartley wrote in his column for The Sun.

"I can't remember the trophy presentation, the victory lap or seeing my aunty and uncle in the crowd.

"It's a weird feeling so I've been looking at a lot of photos to piece it all together and there are bits coming back to me.

"When I came round on the pitch, I tried to convince the medical staff that I was fine and hadn't been knocked out but they were quite rightly having none of it.
"Owen Farrell came over and asked if I was fine but he also told me: 'You've been knocked out mate - you've gotta go off and get looked after'.

"It would have been obscene for me to carry on and having seen the video back it was pretty clear I was sparked straight out."

- Daily Mail