England focus on South Africa Test as players return to clubs

Dylan Hartley has refused to target equalling England’s all-time winning streak as Eddie Jones’s men are already gearing up for the November Tests.

England can match the 14-Test record set by Clive Woodward’s 2003 World Cup-winning team with four consecutive victories this autumn.

Jones’s side made history with their summer series victory in Australia and have already started preparations for their November fixtures with a two-day training camp this week.

Hartley revealed England’s sole focus at pre-season training had been early preparations for their November 12th clash with the Springboks at Twickenham.

“There’s no win record without winning the first game. So the biggest challenge for us is South Africa,” said Hartley.

“And this last three days we’ve had together has been all about South Africa.”

The team captain also said England’s players could not afford to be distracted by big challenges such as next summer’s British and Irish Lions tour when the campaign had not even begun.

Hartley said Jones had already challenged his England players to prove their Test class when the new Premiership season gets under way next month.

“The message from the coaches is clear: it’s get back to your clubs, play well for your clubs, when he or the other coaches are watching they should be able to see who the England players are,” said Hartley.

“They expect us to be the best players on the pitch, and there’s certain fundamentals that they want to see from us.

“Little things that don’t require too much skill, things like work rate, how hard you want to get off the ground and make another tackle instead of just laying there. There’s little things like that they want to see. So it’s go and get fit, play for your clubs and play well, and be ready to buy into the next phase of this team.

“Every time I play for England I want to win. All our focus now is on South Africa and winning that game.

“I’ve never beaten South Africa and I don’t think anyone in the squad’s ever beaten them. So there’s a massive challenge there for us.

“While internationally it was an enjoyable season for us last year I think I only played under 10 games for Northampton, and we underachieved there domestically. So for me to get back in club colours, start the season well and then follow on with the international challenges.”