Hartley axed by England

Dylan Hartley's hopes of playing in the World Cup were all but ended, after England ran out of patience with the volatile hooker - following his latest disciplinary problem - and dropped him from their training squad on Friday.


The 29-year-old Hartley - capped 66 times - was banned for four weeks, after pleading guilty to headbutting Saracens' Jamie George during the second half of club side Northampton's Premiership 24-29 semifinal defeat last weekend.


Jamie George has now replaced Hartley in World Cup hosts England's squad.


Earlier this month, England coach Stuart Lancaster said …