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Jones backs Hartley for Lions captaincy
Eddie Jones has backed Dylan Hartley to lead the British and Irish Lion for next year's tour of New Zealand.
Jones appointed Hartley as England's new captain ahead of this year's RBS Six Nations and the 30-year-old hooker guided his country to a first Grand Slam victory in 13 years before a maiden series win in Australia.
The Lions are due to tour New Zealand next summer and Jones believes Hartley has all the right qualities to lead the tourists against the All Blacks.
“I think he would be a great candidate. He has clearly done a good job leading England, he has got the ability to develop relationships with people, and therefore he would be a great candidate for the Lions job,” Jones told the BBC.
“He is very good with the players in making sure they understand standards we want in the team, and making sure they understand the values that are important.“
Hartley's team-mate Billy Vunipola believes the captain shares many of the same qualities as Jones and commands respect from the rest of the players.
"I feel he is a clone of Eddie. They are both brutally honest and you have a lot of respect for that because you know where you stand,” Vunipola said.
“He will always put the team first. If he thinks you aren’t pulling your weight he will tell you, and if you are doing a good job he will tell you. He is very inspirational, and a lot of boys follow him in that respect.”
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