Eddie Jones has backed Dylan Hartley to lead England into the Six Nations Championship next month despite the hooker’s lack of compelling form for his struggling club Northampton. Hartley has not been on the winning side for Saints since 9 September but Jones insists he remains the preferred option as captain against Italy in Rome on 4 February.
There is no disputing Hartley’s leadership impact at national level, with England having won 22 of their 23 games under Jones but several former England internationals are starting to ask whether his form merits a starting place. Jones, nevertheless, emphasised his support for Hartley despite the “tough time” the player is enduring.
“When you are captain of a club that is struggling and has just sacked their coach it becomes a difficult time and I think that has been reflective of his play,” said Jones, who chose to commence 2018 by summoning his squad to Brighton for a short, sharp training camp. “But the very good players compartmentalise things and he’s done that terrifically well. He’s led with effervescence here and trained well … he’s been good.”
Jones also stressed he continues to regard club and Test rugby as two separate entities. “I don’t watch club rugby to assess them on how they play at clubs. I watch club rugby to assess how they are going to play at international level, which is completely different.
“Some guys can be outstanding club players and be poor at international level. Some guys can be poor club players and outstanding international players. As long as Dylan’s attitude and his body are right, he brings something to the table we need and that is strong leadership.”
With another seasoned Australian coach, Alan Gaffney, having arrived at Northampton, Hartley could still do with a couple of impressive displays at club level this month to silence the doubters. Saracens’ Billy Vunipola will also be in the spotlight, with the England management reluctant to recall the big No8 prematurely. Vunipola, along with Maro Itoje, is set to return to the field this weekend but Jones will not risk him until he is fully recovered.
“It is just a matter of him being ready for Test rugby,” he said. “I gambled with him against Ireland last year and it was a bad gamble. He wasn’t ready so I am a bit more cautious about putting him in at the right time and allowing him to find his feet. We are desperate to beat Italy but there are longer-term goals.”
With Wasps’ Nathan Hughes also out of action, that could open up a spot for Exeter’s Sam Simmonds but England remain unsure when the Bath flanker Sam Underhill, who has not played since he was concussed against Australia in November, will be able to return. Jones, similarly, wants to see Manu Tuilagi looking sharp for Leicester again before he considers recalling the powerful centre.
The coach, meanwhile, is looking for England to intensify their ball-carrying game – “Running metres is one of the key metrics for winning rugby and we don’t feature in the top three in the world” – and to have the ability to play in contrasting ways at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, where conditions during the pool stages could vary considerably.
For now Jones plans to continue coaching the team’s attack himself and sees no pressing reason to recruit further English-born assistants from the Premiership clubs to help fast-track their careers.
“I don’t think that is my job” Jones said. “You must be keen to get rid of me … I know you want an Englishman. In English cricket they always talk about the Australian Trevor Bayliss; 12 months ago he was just Trevor Bayliss. Tell me when you want me to go and I’ll get on a flight.”
