* Robshaw has cracked bone in thumb
* Skipper to miss Saturday’s third test
(Adds quotes, byline, changes dateline)
By Ken Borland
JOHANNESBURG, June 18 (Reuters) – Dylan Hartley will captain
England in Saturday’s third test against South Africa in Port
Elizabeth after Chris Robshaw was ruled out with a cracked bone
in his right thumb.
Robshaw suffered the injury in the first test but it was
only revealed in a scan after he took another knock at the
weekend.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” he said in a statement. “I’ve been
very proud and honoured to lead this group during the Six
Nations and on this tour and it’s a difficult way to end the
season.”
Coach Stuart Lancaster said medical advice was that Robshaw
should not play.
“Dylan Hartley will captain the side. He has been a key part
of our leadership group and I know he will step up to the task
on Saturday.
“”Dylan has always been part of the leadership group, he’s
driven training, he’s the first-choice in his position and is
respected by the players.”
South Africa clinched the three-test series after defeating
England 36-27 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in the second match
on Saturday.
England will also be without scrumhalf Ben Youngs due to a
shoulder injury.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Tony Jimenez)
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