Seven years ago this month, Eddie Jones kickstarted his tenure as England head coach by choosing his first captain. Time was short with the 2016 Six Nations championship fast approaching but he felt the team he had inherited needed a fresh voice. He ended up picking Dylan Hartley, concluding Chris Robshaw’s 43-Test stint in charge.
It was to prove an inspired move. Not only did England claim a Six Nations grand slam but they went on to win 18 successive Tests. By the time Hartley had to retire he had 25 wins from 30 Tests at the helm, meaning a winning percentage bettered only by the 87.17% (34 from 39 Tests) of the great Martin Johnson, under whom England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
