Dylan Hartley's wind-up fear

Dylan Hartley, who had to seek the advice of a sports psychologist to deal with his on-field temper, admits he is still being targeted by opponents and is likely to face stern provocation against Argentina in Salta tomorrow.

While Hartley, who served a six- month ban in 2007 for eye-gouging the Wasps duo Johnny O'Connor and James Haskell, insists he is a different character after working with sports physiologist Steve Peters, one of the major reasons he was overlooked by the Lions was the Northampton hooker's lack of discipline.

He gives away too many cheap penalties for failing to recognise when he should step back from contact situations rather than blundering in and Argentina will test him to the limit tomorrow. Having been heavily beaten by England at Old Trafford last weekend, the Pumas will want revenge.

Hartley knows what's coming and admitted: "People tried in the past to wind me and they still do. I'd say I get targeted individually and I get annoyed with it. I went through a stage after my ban thinking people are going to come for me and I prepared myself for it. But the ban happened over two years ago. If anything I brought it on myself and it's all part of maturing. It's pleasing to look back and see how I've overcome it.

"A couple of years ago I was bit of a dickhead but I wouldn't be playing for England now if I was a liability."

Former Northampton team-mate Steve Thompson and Leicester's George Chuter have failed to oust Hartley, who has the backing of Martin Johnson. The team manager is keen to find another top-class hooker to put pressure on Bath's Lee Mears, favourite to be the Lions Test hooker.

"There have always been question marks over my set-piece ability and that probably held me back with England," said Hartley. "I don't have a problem at the line-out any more and I'm confident in my ability. Practice and repetition got me there."

Now he has to prove that temper really is under control.