The Saints star was on the verge of being picked for last year's World Cup, but a six-month ban for eye-gouging ended his hopes.

And after suffering such a blow, Hartley and Saints turned to psychologist Steve Peters to get his head right and rid his game of the niggly off-the-ball incidents that were blighting his progress.

Peters has helped the hooker get his career back on track, and with his set-piece improving under forwards coach Dorian West, the 22-year-old has earned a place on England's tour of New Zealand next month.

Peters has worked with the Great Britain cycling squad that were so successful at the recent world championships and he also worked on the Soham murders case, putting together a psychological profile of Ian Huntley for Cambridgeshire Police. He also briefly helped England during the last World Cup campaign.

Hartley said: "I had to stop getting in off-the-ball situations because I could be a good enough rugby player without the niggly bits.

"What Steve gave me was a clear plan so I know what to think about before every game.

"It's a step-by-step guide to what I have to do and how to put it into effect. I used to play my rugby with high emotion, very animated, but I was a bit of a loose unit.

"What he taught me to do was to think with the logical part of my head, and channel my energy so I still tackle and run with the same energy that I used to put into trying to annoy somebody."