Hartley played at prop at England age-group level before moving to hooker

England manager Martin Johnson has dismissed fears that Dylan Hartley's temperament may not be compatible with the pressures of international rugby.

The Northampton hooker is set to win his first cap against the Pacific Islands at Twickenham on 8 November.

But he was banned for six months last year for eye-gouging, and involved in an off-the-ball incident last weekend.

"He is aware he may have picked up a bit of a reputation but we are not concerned about it," Johnson said.

"We trust him to be involved in the squad. If we didn't trust him then we wouldn't have him here."

If I thought he was a liability to this team then he would not be in this squad Martin Johnson

That prompted Saracens director of rugby Eddie Jones to remark: "He seems like a good kid - he can play a bit - but you don't want to see players doing those sort of things.

"If he's doing it in a club game, then you would worry about him in a Test match."

But England manager Johnson insists he has no concerns about handing the Rotorua-born player - who returned to New Zealand with England in the summer but did not play in either Test - his first cap a week on Saturday.

"He is a young guy who is enthusiastic and sometimes that goes the wrong way and over the top," Johnson noted. "I know what that's about, and the key is to control it.

"If I thought he was a liability to this team then he would not be in this squad. He is a young and enthusiastic guy who wants to play rugby. He was banned for six months and that's that."

Danny doesn't get treated any differently to anyone else here Martin Johnson

But Johnson is convinced the 20-year-old prodigy has his priorities right, noting the speed of his comeback from a fracture dislocation of his ankle sustained last May.

"Initially we thought Danny would not be fit before the new year but the guy worked incredibly hard to get himself back," Johnson said.

"That didn't just happen by accident. Everything I have seen of him suggests he works very hard at being a good rugby player. He doesn't get treated any differently to anyone else here."

Johnson has already shown his ruthless side in his new role, dispensing with fellow 2003 World Cup winners Ben Kay, Mike Tindall and Joe Worsley when he named his initial elite player squad.

He has subsequently relieved Phil Vickery of the captaincy, and told Josh Lewsey that he may not be required for next Saturday's clash when releasing him to play for Wasps this weekend.

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"Josh has played 55 times for England in a number of positions and guys like that are valuable in the squad.

"Like I said to him, I could ring him Thursday and he could be straight back in."

With Nick Abendanon forced out of contention with a toe injury, the uncapped Delon Armitage is the only fit full-back at present.

Mathew Tait, and number eight Luke Narraway, are still battling to shake off hamstring injuries.

Johnson will name his side on Tuesday.

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