Northampton Saints hooker Dylan Hartley has challenged his team-mates to join him in the England set-up.

Four Saints players have already made their mark in Martin Johnson's squad this year and 24-year-old Hartley hopes their numbers can grow.

"There's always a chance," he told BBC Radio Northampton. "It helps when you're in a club that's winning.

"The carrot is there in front of them and, as long as they keep performing, I'm sure they'll get their chance."

Hartley, who has won 23 caps, along with fellow Saints Courtney Lawes, Ben Foden and Chris Ashton, looks almost certain to be part of Johnson's plans ahead of the Six Nations, which kicks off in February.

The other teams have been playing and catching us up, which is good for us because it's good to know people are hot on our heels Northampton Saints hooker Dylan Hartley

Northampton have been attracting admirers after a blistering start to their Premiership campaign.

Jim Mallinder's men are a point ahead of second-placed Leicester Tigers with two games in hand and face Harlequins on Saturday.

Hartley added: "We're sitting nicely aren't we?

"We're definitely happy with how we've been going but saying that the other teams have been playing and catching us up, which is good for us because it's good to know people are hot on our heels.

"This weekend's just another big game and hopefully we can take four points from that."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version