HART OF GOLD
Dylan makes Lions case but Saints slip
DYLAN Hartley demonstrated perfect timing yesterday with a barnstorming, try-scoring late pitch for Lions selection, before Northampton collapsed in his absence.
This Aviva Premiership encounter in Milton Keynes was billed as a showdown between England team-mates competing for hooker places in the squad to tour New Zealand. But instead of beating Jamie George, the visitors’ captain for the day, to a seat on the plane, Hartley must hope to join him instead.
Sportsmail understands George will be in the squad to be announced by head coach Warren Gatland on Wednesday. Ireland captain Rory Best is also destined to be picked, which leaves Hartley vying for the final berth with Ken Owens of Wales, who was the form home nations hooker during the Six Nations.
Gatland’s assistant Steve Borthwick was in attendance yesterday to witness Hartley’s first club try since January 2014 in an influential and powerful performance. He may be best known for his set-piece staples and leadership, but there was plenty of tackling, clearing out and carrying too, as well as a daring lofted pass and even an audacious dummy and sidestep.
England’s captain was in his element before being replaced in the 66th minute, far later than he had lasted in every round of the Six Nations and 15 minutes after George had been taken off. Their duel had gone convincingly the way of the home No 2, symbolically capped in the 42nd minute when Hartley blasted through an attempted tackle by his rival to touch down.
He could have done little more to remind Gatland of his big-match clout, despite a couple of lineout blips engineered by George Kruis, who returned to the Saracens lineup just in time to make a case for his inclusion as one of the Lions locks.
Courtney Lawes did much the same on the other side with a colossal display. It was not enough to save the Saints but it appears he may have already done enough to earn a trip to New Zealand.
Jim Mallinder, Northampton’s director of rugby, angrily kicked water bottles as he stormed down the tunnel after the final whistle. Once he had calmed down, he spoke up on behalf of Hartley and his Lions claims, saying: ‘I thought Dylan had a really good game. He threw in really well, carried and tackled, so I was really pleased with him. He’s improving every week.’
George said: ‘It might be a restless night on Tuesday. But I was happy with how I went today.’
Lawes was clearly as incensed as Mallinder at the way the Saints threw away a 25-12 lead, which they held when Hartley departed 14 minutes from time. There was an alarming lack of resilience and composure in the Northampton ranks as Chris Ashton’s try ignited a Saracens comeback.
Alex Lozowoski converted and added a penalty before his midfield break two minutes from time paved the way for Marcelo Bosch to go over and level the scores.
Lozowski’s wide conversion completed a stunning turnaround and ensured Saracens will go to Dublin with thunderous momentum for Saturday’s seismic Champions Cup semi-final against Munster.