Hartley a reformed character, says Best

England and Ireland. Triple Crown at stake. Grand Slam still in the offing.

It’s one of those games that doesn’t require your usual subplots but it’s ripe with them anyway. Chief among them is the meeting of hookers Dylan Hartley and Rory Best who will lock eyes and much more besides when they pack down at Twickenham this Saturday.

It was Hartley’s choice words for referee Wayne Barnes in last season’s Premiership final at the same venue that led to his dismissal, suspension and omission from the Lions tour to Australia and, as a result, Best’s late inclusion onto Warren Gatland’s party.