Johnson's praise for Hartley
England boss Martin Johnson says Saints star Dylan Hartley is "getting better and better" after his first Test start in Saturday's win over Argentina.
With regular England hooker Lee Mears away with the British & Irish Lions, Johnson said Hartley took his chance "very well".
In his first start for England, Hartley's solid display helped Johnson's men register a convincing 37-15 win over Argentina at Old Trafford.
Against a side ranked one place higher than England at fifth in the world, Johnson was impressed with Hartley's first 80-minute display on the international stage.
Johnson said: "I thought Dylan did very well. It was his first start in a Test, that was his 10th game, but there are not a lot of minutes in those 10 caps.
"With Steve (Thompson) there this week and George (Chuter), he is the least experienced hooker here, but he has got the starting spot at the moment and he has taken it very well – he is getting better and better with each game."
Hartley missed just one lineout throw in an otherwise immaculate and strong set-piece display, with some typically muscular runs as well.
"It was a fairly wet, blustery day and so the lineout is always going to be difficult," said Johnson.
"We missed our first lineout and our scrum was under pressure at times, but Dylan kept in there. Some of his carries were very strong and his defence was good."
And Johnson feels performances like Hartley's will give him some interesting selection posers when the nine Lions and the injured players return for England's autumn internationals.
"In some positions there are lots of people vying for that spot," said Johnson.
"But I said to the guys this week that if you have got the shirt on, then you are in the England team and if you play well then you have got a great chance of keeping it on.
"A few of the guys in South Africa and a few that are injured will have enjoyed seeing the boys win and that's the right sort of camp to be in.
"When we have got everybody available in the autumn it will be good,
there are some hard choices to make and that is what you want to have."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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