Monday 29 February 2016 10:06, UK
Wales hooker Scott Baldwin has noted maturity in England captain and opposite number Dylan Hartley in this season's Six Nations.
Baldwin is relishing the prospect of facing Hartley when the two teams clash on March 12 at Twickenham.
Hartley, who has served a total of 54 weeks' suspension during a chequered playing career, is at the forefront of England's revival under their Australian head coach Eddie Jones.
England are undefeated since Hartley was appointed skipper instead of Chris Robshaw, and victory over fellow unbeaten title rivals Wales would put a first Six Nations crown since 2011 within touching distance.
Looking ahead to potentially facing Hartley, Baldwin said: "If selected, it will be nice to get out there and have a little tussle.
"He has shown his maturity since taking over as England captain.
"There have been a few things said about him, but he hasn't bitten, whereas in the past maybe he would have done.
"In the last game he played before Ireland, people were trying to make something out of nothing, with him hitting rucks and stuff.
"He's just an aggressive player who wants to do well for his country, and he has led from the front for England, so it will be an interesting battle."
Hartley's charge-sheet includes entries - and bans - ranging from verbal abuse of a referee to punching and head-butting, but Baldwin has short shrift for any suggestion that he might look to wind up the England leader inside Twickenham's white-hot cauldron.
"That's not part of my game - I am not that type of player," Baldwin said. "If I am selected, I will just look forward to a tough battle against a good player.
"His core skills for a hooker are on the money. He is good in the scrums and in the lineouts, he gets around the park, he carries and he makes his tackles. He's an all-round player who does his job."
Wales could field 10 survivors or more from the starting line-up that featured in a thrilling 28-25 World Cup Pool A victory over England at Twickenham last September.
It was a result that practically ensured the host nation's elimination from the competition at the group stage, and Australia duly finished them off a week later.
Asked if that result would be a motivating factor for England in two weeks' time, Baldwin said: "A little bit. It's going to be sitting in the back of their minds, because a lot of the players are the same ones who were involved then.
"But Eddie Jones has probably given them confidence. They are building as a team, but we feel we are building as well, so it will be an exciting match and one we will look forward to."
