Sunday 9 July 2017 17:42, UK
Dylan Hartley gave a witty response to a Twitter user who suggested he should stand down from his role as England captain to be replaced by British and Irish Lions lock Maro Itoje, after the rugby fan invited people to vote in an opinion poll.
John Huyton offered the judgment following 22-year-old Itoje's performances against the All Blacks during the Lions' tour of New Zealand, in which Warren Gatland's side shared the series' spoils against the world champions with a dramatic 15-15 draw in Saturday's decisive test.
Huyton, who describes himself on the social media platform as a "passionate, England, Lancashire & Orrell RUFC Expert", tweeted: "@maroitoje needs to be promoted @EnglandRugby Captain ASAP & future @lionsofficial Captain. Time to stand down @DylanHartley #WearTheRose."
However, having tagged Hartley into the post, he soon received a reply he may not have expected when the 31-year-old chose to enter the conversation.
Using his official account, the hooker replied: "Ok cheers John will do."
Reacting to the poll in which people had the option to answer 'Yes' or 'No' to the question of whether Itoje should now be England's captain in place of Hartley, the third most capped England international of all time replied "#ivoted."
The early responses suggested the poll's instigator was in the minority, as the question attracted an 89 per cent "No" vote at one point.
Fellow Twitter user Alex Lear posted: "89% to 11%... sit down Jon… I'm in the 89%," to which Northampton Saints' Hartley appeared to disagree, tweeting: "I was in the 11%".
