蜜芽传媒

England head coach Eddie Jones will stand by his captain Dylan Hartley following his six-week ban, says World Cup winner Paul Grayson.

Hartley was punished for striking an opponent while playing for Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup.

The hooker has now been suspended for a total of 60 weeks but Grayson believes Jones will keep faith with the player who helped England remain unbeaten in 2016.

"Dylan has been quite outstanding as Eddie Jones' lieutenant-in-chief. You cannot have a year like that and then everything just goes out the window over one incident."

World Cup-winning scrum-half Matt Dawson says Hartley has been a key part of England's 13-match unbeaten run this year.

"He brings an 鈥榅 factor鈥�, he brings a steeliness in his performance and off the field as well. He is vitally important to that England side."

This clip is taken from 5 live Sport on 22 December 2016.