News

Johnson - 'Hartley is up to it'

May 13 2008

England boss Martin Johnson insists uncapped hooker Dylan Hartley is ready to swap the Cornish All Blacks for the real thing after being selected for the summer Test series against New Zealand.

Hartley, who was born in Rotorua but has represented England from U19 level upwards, is one of six uncapped players in Johnson's first squad since being appointed Team Manager.

The 22-year-old has been included despite spending this season outside of the Guinness Premiership helping Northampton win promotion back to the top flight.

Hartley's last taste of action was in one of Saints' regular strolls, a thumping 81-0 win over Launceston, known as the Cornish All Blacks.

His next could be in the first Test against the real All Blacks in Auckland on June 14 - but Johnson is not concerned about the vast gap in quality between international rugby and National League One.

"We think he is up to it. We wouldn't have chosen him otherwise," said Johnson.

"Dylan has long been seen as a potential international player. He has been on the radar.

"He obviously spent this year in the first division with Northampton but I speak to (Saints coach) Dorian West quite a lot and he always mentions him, even when I don't prompt him. This is his first opportunity."

After bursting onto the Guinness Premiership scene last year, Hartley would have been in England's World Cup training squad had he not received a 26-week ban for 'gouging' two Wasps players.

He returned to action in October and made 25 appearances during the Saints' unbeaten season, scoring five tries.

After playing for England U19 and U21 Hartley graduated to the England Saxons for the 2007 Six Nations in which he scored tries in both of his appearances against Italy and Ireland.

This season he has played for the Saxons against Ireland at Welford Road and has been included in the squad alongside Bath's in-form hooker Lee Mears and the similarly uncapped David Paice from London Irish.

Rob Andrew, who will lead the tour to New Zealand while Johnson stays home with his pregnant wife has also added his thoughts.

"Since Christmas Dorian has been bugging everybody about how well he has been playing," he said.

"He has had a very good second half of the season. He played very well for the Saxons against Ireland when he came on."

Hartley is joined in the 32-man squad by the uncapped London Irish trio of David Paice, lock Nick Kennedy and winger Topsy Ojo plus Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care and Bristol prop Jason Hobson.

"Whether they get on the field or not they will come back from New Zealand with more experience," said Johnson.

The inclusion of three London Irish players is just reward for the Exiles' outstanding run to the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

"I'm pleased on two levels," said London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith.

"First of all for the club as the selection of so many players reflects our ambition and it is fantastic recognition of the efforts of our squad over the season.

"Second, on a personal level I've worked with four of the players since they joined our Academy and it has been very rewarding to take them through to the stage where they are on the verge of winning international caps."