Saturday 25 February 2017 19:13, UK
England captain Dylan Hartley insists he still has more to offer to the side, saying he has held positive talks with coach Eddie Jones.
Hartley has led England to 15 straight wins since being made captain by Jones after the Australian took over following the rugby team's first-round exit on home soil at the 2015 World Cup.
But for all the team's recent success, including last year's Grand Slam, Hartley has come under pressure for his place from back-up hooker Jamie George.
"I'm not even in my prime yet," said the 30-year-old Hartley. "I've had a conversation with Eddie and he's made it very clear what I can achieve within the team.
"It keeps me very honest and on my toes to how I perform and prepare, I want to get better. Since working with Eddie he has opened my eyes and expectation he has put on me."
"This last year is just the start for me, I'm very much excited about what to come but aware I can't rest on my laurels."
Hartley went on to explain how he came to be friends with Alastair Cook, saying of the former England cricket Test captain: "I heard he was a Saints fan so I offered him up to a game and then he asked me to speak at a local pub for a Christmas dinner with his mates as a guest of honour.
"I ended up having a few pints and we stayed in touch."
Cook, a fan of Northampton where Hartley plays his club rugby, recently stepped down as captain after leading the side in a record 59 matches, although the opening batsman is set to continue his international career.
But Hartley said there was one key difference when it came to captaining England in a rugby union or cricket Test match.
"He (Cook) had a strong influence on selection in cricket. Here it is the complete opposite - Eddie joked I would probably pick myself in the team straight away."
Hartley was taken off 46 minutes into England's 21-16 win over Wales earlier this month, with George impressing off the bench in Cardiff.
But Jones made it clear that Hartley was still his first-choice captain when he announced his side to play Italy in Sunday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
"Dylan can't play until he is 50," Jones, an avid cricket fan, said. "It's not like Alastair Cook.
"We had Cook come into training today (Friday) and he's played 140 Tests. You don't play 140 Tests at hooker because rugby is a lot more exacting."
