Disingenuous Dylan Hartley a dangerous disgrace

This probably comes across as premature given we’re still over a week out from the first round of games, but you can take it as read that, regardless of what happens between now and March 18, the worst day of the Six Nations has already come and gone as far as the six captains and coaches are concerned.

You can add about 300 journalists and photographers to that number, too. The annual tournament launch in Hurlingham isn’t so much a media day as a choreographed cattle mart and nobody escapes the pen.

The likes of Joe Schmidt and Rory Best are led around the exclusive sports and social club in Fulham on a not-so-merry dance. At every stop are members of the media, addled by hours of waiting, their colleagues’ elbows and bad B.O.