HARTBEAT
Record-breaking skipper is determined to face down challenge of Lion George
DYLAN HARTLEY has revealed the lengths he goes to in order to continue his record-breaking reign as England captain.
A week today, the Northampton star leads his country into their season-opener against Argentina aiming to extend a tally of 19 wins in 21 Tests at the helm.
That makes Hartley the England captain with the highest win percentage, above World Cup-winner Martin Johnson.
For all the clamour to start Lions hooker Jamie George (above) ahead of him, New Zealand-born Hartley will win his 87th cap and begin a 10th successive season in the colours of his adopted nation. “I want to be a part of this team, I want to drive it forward,” he said. “I don’t need someone else to be on the Lions tour to motivate me. I’ve got my own motivations.” Perhaps, but 11 days after George helped the Lions to an historic series draw against New Zealand, Hartley agreed to add the Northampton captaincy to his Red Rose responsibilities. It was a move some interpreted as an admission that his England days were numbered, with George, four years his junior, going from Red Rose chorus line to Lions headline act. But Hartley, 31, disclosed it was the complete opposite. That he had taken the job to make himself an even better leader. “It’s a selfish way to look at it,” he admitted. “But one of my motivations was to captain week in, week out, to practise this role. It’s all very well turning up and going into captain mode. It’s the sort of thing I want to do every day. You learn more about yourself. I certainly have.”
That is not the talk of a player preparing to relinquish his jersey to George, who holds the world record for most caps – 17 – without starting a Test.
“Look, this isn’t about Jamie and me, I’ll fulfil whatever role is put on me,” he said. “I’ve started games, I’ve come off the bench and I’ve been a squad member.
“But I get up every morning pretty hungry to get better and stay a part of this. I continue to challenge myself.”
Wales provide the challenge on Monday when Hartley takes his England pack to Bristol for a specially-arranged scrummage session. “I don’t think we can go down there and have a brawl, but there will be an edge to it,” said the hooker.
The retiring type he is not.