Six Nations: England forwards coach Graham Rowntree backs Dylan Hartley

England forwards coach Graham Rowntree believes Dylan Hartley will rise to the challenge of keeping his discipline in the cauldron of Friday's Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.

The controversial Northampton hooker was sin-binned in the Rugby Champions Cup last earlier in the month - raising fresh question marks over his temperament - but Rowntree retains belief the 28-year-old will cope with the added scrutiny.

When asked if Hartley is under extra pressure on Friday night, Rowntree said: "Yes he is. Under pressure from himself as well and we have to manage that.

"It was interesting to hear his comments after the Racing Metro game when he said he prepared really well and yet he still got yellow-carded early doors.

"We and I will be speaking a lot this week about his clarity of thought going into this game, which is what we did four years ago when Gatland called him out.

Dylan is a key asset, an experienced asset, and I have worked with him since 2008 in this set-up. He has been in the middle of some big victories, some big performances for us.

"I don't like it when coaches do that. I was there when Gatland apologised as well. On that occasion, Dylan was nigh on man of the match. I have every faith in him.

"Determination is what I see in Dylan's eyes. He doesn't go out there to be carded, he goes out there with clear jobs to do. He did it very well in the autumn series.

"He had 94 per cent lineout and was in the middle of all the good work in the set-piece.

"I need to make sure this week he is thinking about those things again - concentrating about the things he has to do for our team, not everything else.

"Dylan is a key asset, an experienced asset, and I have worked with him since 2008 in this set-up. He has been in the middle of some big victories, some big performances for us."

On the timely return to fitness of Dan Cole, who is likely to start at the Millennium Stadium following David Wilson's failure to recover from a neck injury, Rowntree added: "We have a massive game on Friday night in Cardiff and we need experience. Caps are important. Dan has been a proven, class prop forward since he made his debut in 2010.

"He's a Lion. To have a tool like that available is great for me. His knowledge doesn't dissipate while he has been injured.

"Dealing with environments like Friday night comes with experience. It's good to have him around. That's one thing Wales have always had under Gatland - they've always had a lot of caps.

"They pick players at an early age and stick with them, so they always have that experience."