Dylan Hartley says England aim to be 'most dominant side in Europe'

By Paul Vinnell

Dylan Hartley says England are ready to win the Six Nations Grand Slam as they prepare to face France in Paris

Dylan Hartley says England want to prove they are Europe's dominant force when they take on France on Saturday.

Victory in Paris will earn England their first Grand Slam since 2003, in what is coach Eddie Jones' first Six Nations championship.

Hartley's men sealed the title on Sunday, Scotland's victory over the French at Murrayfield confirming England as champions after they had defeated Wales the previous day.

But the skipper maintains his players are determined to celebrate victory on the pitch, rather than the team hotel, come Sunday night.

"The championship came our way, we had a beer and drew a line under it," said the Northampton hooker. "It was a pretty average way to win it if I'm honest. That's why the lads say 'we go again, we go and win in France and enjoy it.'

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Image: Hartley missed out on the Grand Slam in 2011 and 2013

"The biggest challenge for the guys is mentally turning up. We can say all the right things, but unless we are training hard and preparing correctly, it's just words. The way training has gone this week, the intensity has gone up a level. That comes from the top. Eddie has been cracking the whip."

Sports psychologist Jeremy Snape - a former Leicestershire cricketer - has been working with the squad this week but Hartley said there is no lack of determination or motivation.

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"Jeremy has been in the background - he's a sounding board for players," he said. "But the squad is that motivated, we don't need him to tell us how to win this weekend."

Loosehead prop Mako Vunipola will scrum down with Hartley, with Joe Marler dropped to the bench, and Hartley says the Saracens forward can be a big player for the team at the Stade de France.

Image: Eddie Jones (L) and Hartley plot ahead of Saturday's big game

"It's obvious for everyone to see, the way he carries the ball, the way he tackles, competes at the breakdown," he said. "Over the last few seasons he's really added to his set-piece game. I know scrummaging with him how strong he is. It will be a big test for him out in France but one he can step up in."

Hartley missed out on Grand Slams in 2011 and 2013 at the hands of Ireland and Wales, but insists memories of those games are irrelevant this week.

"We haven't really talked about it. There are individuals in our team who have experienced loss, failure. But these setbacks are what motivate people to not let that happen again," he said.

"One more game to be the most dominant side in Europe."

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