Dylan Hartley tipped to succeed by Saints team-mate George North

George North is convinced 'nice guy' Dylan Hartley is the right man to lead England into their Six Nations campaign.

Hartley was handed the captaincy by new England head coach Eddie Jones, despite disciplinary problems which have seen the Northampton Saints hooker miss 54 weeks of rugby through various suspensions. 

But Saints team-mate and Wales international North says Hartley - whose first test as England skipper comes against Scotland on Saturday - has all the hallmarks of a natural leader, both on and off the field. 

"I think he's shown it before [that he is the right man for the job]," North told Sky Sports. "He has quality. He's a great person and a great player.

"When I signed for Northampton, Dylan was one of the biggest characters. I didn't know how to take him or how to deal with him because he has this aura, this reputation.

"But now, being at Northampton for over two years, and understanding and getting to know Dylan, he's a completely different guy on the field to off the field.

"On the field, he is the guy you need to be carrying the ball hard, to put the team in the right areas and to lead from the front. 

"But off the field he is a massive club man. He looks after one and all, whether it's someone in the first year academy or in the offices. If they need help, he is the guy that always helps. 

"He's someone who my opinion of has completely changed, and it does so very quickly once you got to know the guy. He's one of the funniest and most genuine guys I've come across."

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