Six Nations
Eddie Jones: No concerns over England captain Dylan Hartley's discipline
PA Sport
January 27, 2016
Lawes backs new England captain Dylan Hartley

Eddie Jones believes his new England captain Dylan Hartley will "be no problem at all".

The England head coach decided his first skipper would be the 29-year-old hooker, who has served 54 weeks of suspensions for a range of offences including eye-gouging, biting, head-butting and swearing at a referee.

But Jones has been impressed with the way Hartley has handled himself in the early weeks of the new regime as England attempt to rebuild following the Rugby World Cup disappointment.

"He's got a clean sheet of paper and I'm really impressed by his attitude," Jones told BBC Breakfast. "He really wants to make this England side strong and I'm sure he's going to be no problem at all."

Eddie Jones and Dylan Hartley© Steve Bardens - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

Chris Robshaw led England during their World Cup group-stage exit and the switch to Hartley as captain was described as "a new direction" by Jones at Monday's unveiling.

But on Wednesday the former Australia and Japan coach stressed flanker Robshaw has a key role to play in the national team's future on and off the field.

Jones added: "I had a long chat with Chris when I first got the job. It's all about Chris finding his best rugby.

"I think he's a very talented rugby player. He's a very good six and I want him to find his best rugby. If he does that he's going to help make England strong again.

"The role he can play in supporting Dylan is going to be absolutely vital because he's had a lot of experience and that counts a lot."

Hartley and Robshaw could have a big role to play in Jones' style of rugby.

Jones added: "England sides traditionally have been tough, uncompromising forward packs and we want to get that back. That's a non negotiable for us.

"We want to be able to win games up front and at the same time have the backs with the ability to move the ball in the space and move it accurately and with speed."

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