England captain Dylan Hartley proudly lifted the Six Nations trophy after suffering a sickening knock out in the tournament decider against France.
The Northampton Saints star took a heavy knee to the top of his skull in the 68th minute as he went in for a tackle against giant French prop Atonio.
He was knocked clean out by the blow and had to be stretchered off by medics are the game rested on a knife edge with England leading 25-21.
Fans feared the worst for Hartley who was given a standing ovation from 80,000 fans as he left the field…
His team-mates were not to be denied and went on to win the game by 10 points on a triumphant night for English rugby.
But incredibly just 20 minutes after the horrific knock out and Hartley re-emerged to celebrate England’s first grand slam win in 13 years.
Fans were relieved to see him lift the trophy with his fellow England heroes…
Dylan Hartley lifts the cup for @EnglandRugby #FRAvENG #GrandSlam #SixNations #carrythemhome 🌹 pic.twitter.com/p3LdrKluoU
— Offbeat Online (@Offbeat_online) March 19, 2016
@DylanHartley great to see you make it back on the pitch to lift the cup 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well done lads #carrythemhome
— Josh Cox (@JoshCox24101993) March 19, 2016
Dylan Hartley what a monster knocked out and 10 mins later out celebrating with team #6nations2016 #GrandSlam amazing result tonight
— Martin (@Martinr23) March 19, 2016
@EnglandRugby @DylanHartley Even a bang on the head wasn't going to stop Dylan lifting that trophy. Well done the whole England squad! 🌹🏆
— Steve Hartley (@dieseldrinker62) March 19, 2016
Big respect to Dylan Hartley getting absolutely knocked out, stretchered off and then walking back on at the end to collect the trophy.
— James Sunman (@JamesSunman1) March 19, 2016
Good to see @DylanHartley up and about to receive the trophy! Congratulations England #grandslam2016 #6nations2016
— Sarah Pritchard (@sarah_leanne84) March 19, 2016
Congrats @DylanHartley I suspect you won't remember this tomorrow. So to recap… you just led @EnglandRugby to Grand Slam glory!!!
— Len Lapiro (@kingcaboosey) March 19, 2016
Here’s the injury in full…
https://youtu.be/EOj-ddVKaz8
Images via RTE
