Hartley: In fine form

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Hooker Dylan Hartley will owe Northampton coach Dorian West a huge debt of thanks should he make his international debut against New Zealand in the summer.

Hartley was one on six uncapped players named in Martin Johnson's 32-man squad for the two-Test series against the All Blacks despite spending the last season playing in National One.

The New Zealand-born front-row had been on the fringes of the England squad before the 2007 World Cup, only for a 26-week ban for gouging to him out.

However Hartley has taken the second tier of English rugby by storm and Saints forwards coach West - part of the 2003 World Cup winning squad - has let anyone who would listen know how good the 22-year-old is.

Hartley has played for England Under-19s, Under-21s and the Saxons, and Johnson admitted: "We think he is up to it. We wouldn't have chosen him otherwise.

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"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 Dorian West quite a lot and he always mentions him, even when I don't prompt him. This is his first opportunity."

Johnson will miss the tour to be with his pregnant wife, leaving Rob Andrew to lead the squad.

And the RFU elite director has also had calls from West about Hartley's form.

He added: "Since Christmas Dorian has been bugging everybody about how well he has been playing.

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