Saints ace Hartley 'favourite for first England start'
Northampton Saints boss Jim Mallinder believes Dylan Hartley has to be favourite to win his first start for England this summer.
England take on Argentina in two Tests with the first at Old Trafford on June 6 before flying out to Argentina for the second a week later.
And with England's first choice hooker Lee Mears away on British & Irish Lions duty, Mallinder feels Hartley is on the verge of winning his first start.
England boss Martin Johnson watched Hartley put in a top display against London Irish with Saints' scrum dominant while the 24-year-old was on the pitch, before he was forced to go off with a stomach injury.
Mallinder said: "Dylan will definitely be in the thoughts of England for the games with Argentina. He has been the number two hooker for England throughout the year and you would like to think that with Mearsy going on the Lions tour Dylan will be starting those games against Argentina."
Hartley misses today's Guinness Premiership clash with Sale because of injury, but Mallinder is hoping to have him back for next week's European Challenge Cup semi-final against Saracens.
And the director of rugby is making sure his side is in top condition for that clash, resting Euan Murray, Bruce Reihana, James Downey, who took a knock last week, and Juandre Kruger, who has played non-stop since finishing the Currie Cup campaign in South Africa.
It means a chance for Chris Ashton at full-back after impressing their for the Wanderers and a first start for Sean Lamont since January 31.
Jon Clarke returns after injury to play at 12 and the side is led by Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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