British and Irish Lions captaincy not on Dylan Hartley's mind

England skipper Dylan Hartley insisted that he is not thinking about captaining the British and Irish Lions during their 2017 tour of New Zealand.

The British and Lions team tour of New Zealand in June next year consists of three Tests against All Blacks while they will also take on Provincial Union XV, Maori All Blacks and other Super Rugby sides.

The 30-year-old missed the Lions tour of Australia in 2013 after he was handed a 11-week ban for abusing referee Wayne Barnes in that year's Premiership final. However, things have changed drastically for the England hooker after he was the named the national captain following the 2015 World Cup debacle.

Under the newly appointed coach Eddie Jones and captain Hartley, England have won the Grand Slam for the first time in 13 years during the Six Nations 2016 and also whitewashed Australia 3-0 for the first time down under. The Northampton star has made his intentions clear that his immediate focus is only on playing for his country and club.

"I am aware of that but I am only judged on my next game for England," said Hartley, on the bookmakers installing him as favourite to captain the Lions next summer.

"I need to make sure I am in that England team for South Africa, I am the form hooker and I am there or thereabouts.

"It's not something I ever set out to achieve.

"I am just happy where I am at the moment, with my focus on this job.

"It is a job that my come at the end of the season but right now my focus is on my club and my country."

Admitting the Lions tour of New Zealand will be an aspiration for most of his teammates, Hartley urged his players to concentrate on delivering for their respective clubs and England which will make a strong case of selection for the Lions tour.

"Most players are conscious of that, and being back in New Zealand on holiday, they are hugely excited about it," said Hartley.

"But break it down. How do you play for your country? You play well for your club.

"How do you play well for your club? You train hard in pre-season, which is now, and you start the season well.

"For me it is all about Northampton, playing well, making sure I hold my hand up, making sure Eddie sees me and I'm in good form, ready to play for England.

"It's (the Lions) a bonus at the end of the season."

England, who are currently on a 10-match winning streak can level the 14-match unbeaten streak set by Sir Clive Woodward's 2003 World Cup-winning team provided they win the four Tests lined up in the autumn internationals.

Hartley, just like Jones, insisted that he wants to take one game at a time and their immediate focus is on their opening game against the Springboks on 12th November.

"There's no win record without winning the first game," said Hartley.

"So the biggest challenge for us is South Africa.

"And this last three days we've had together has been all about South Africa.

"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.

"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."

Dylan Hartley was appearing alongside his England team-mates at the launch of the new England Rugby shirt from Canterbury #CommittedToTheGame. Visit Canterbury.com