Former England captain Dylan Hartley admits his omission from Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad is still causing him to have sleepless nights.
The Northampton hooker was made out of England squad to the tournament, having failed to overcome a knee injury that he suffered in December.
Hartley, who has 97 caps for England, it is still coming to terms with being denied the chance, and had hoped to bow from international rugby on a top in Japan.
“After the World Cup squad was announced, it was almost like I’d died – friends touch base and seeing if I was OK,” Hartley said.
“Ultimately, the way I looked in my whole arcade career and how I wanted it to pan out, and also the way it was moving , was that this could have been the greatest send-off, the fantasy finish into an global career.
“The reality is that you pick up an accident.
“For 3 years we have talked about winning the World Cup together with Eddie, and I’ve headed that group, been part of that journey, to fall at the final hurdle… I don’t know the sensation.
“I wake up many nights considering it. I have come to terms with it , although it doesn’t sit well with me personally. You have to crack on.”
Hartley believes England have an excellent probability of being the team which lifts the Webb Ellis Cup in Yokohama City on November 2, which his omission even tougher to take care of.
“I really think England (will win), they’ve got as good a opportunity to go and get it done,” he explained.
“The most unusual thing for me is to think if my leg wasn’t [hurt ] in the minute I could be there together , winning a World Cup. It’s difficult to swallow, really.
“I hope they go and win. I will get on and be a wonder supporter – remember me guys?
“I’ll be hanging off the face of the open-top bus, at my 97th (look ) shirt”
As representing club side Northampton at a Gallagher Premiership clash with Worcester nine months 25, hartley hasn’t featured.
The 33-year-old admits from trying to rush back to the World Cup, his knee injury uttered.
“I tried an (first ) approach with my knee, a very aggressive approach, since I had been given some deadlines to meet, along with the aggressive strategy didn’t get the job done,” said Hartley.
“I ended up in a worse position for trying to return too early. Ever since that happened, I knew I was not likely to create the (World Cup) deadline.
“It was around the beginning of the camps, even when they first got together around the beginning of July. I tried return for that and basically put myself at a small hole emotionally and physically.”
Hartley spent a fortnight working together with strength and conditioning pro Bill Knowles, whose clients believes that treatment was beneficial, and include Andy Murray.
“Everyone asks when you’re coming back but I’ve learned that you do not set a time period on itbecause when you are 10 days out from it and you realize you are nowhere close, you are able to play these games on mind and it is tough,” Hartley added.
“At the present time, I am constructing my tolerance to be able to run every day and engage every day.”

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