Dylan Hartley‘s recent break from the game has sharpened his hunger as he acknowledges the crucial timing of his return for England.

Hartley took an extended period of rest encompassing the June tour to South Africa after being concussed against Ireland in March, but has been involved in all four of Northampton‘s matches this season.

The 32-year-old hooker missed the last Rugby World Cup due to suspension and with a year to go until Japan 2019, he appreciates the importance of being restored to Eddie Jones’ squad ahead of the autumn series.

“It makes you realise what you’re missing. The easy thing when you’re injured or not selected is just to accept your fate. ‘OK that’s me’,” he said.

“When you’re on the outside you’ve got to work it out for yourself. Tunnel vision, be very selfish, work out how you can get back in.

“It’s a good thing to be on the outside looking in. A new perspective is always a good tool in all walks of life. Refire, re-energise, refocus. What do you need to do?

“Now there’s definitely a heightened sense of excitement. Everything we’ve been working towards is drawing in.

“Being in the room… now that we’re in the final year you want to be in the room.”

Hartley is expected to resume as captain for the looming series against South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Australia after his leadership was missed in the 2-1 series defeat by the Springboks.

Assisting in his objective of featuring at Twickenham in November has been the influence of Northampton’s former All Blacks prop Ben Franks, whose meticulous preparation even includes making a packed lunch.

“I’ve got a new mate. Ben trains better than anyone I’ve ever seen. He finds time in his day to do extra weight sessions,” Hartley said.

“No one in the strength and conditioning team questions him when he does his own warm-up or his own weights session.

“He carries around his own lunch box, brings his own food. A lot of the young lads are like ‘oh my God, he brings his own food’.

“I asked him why and he said because ‘when I started, you didn’t get food, you had to bring it’. It’s like making a sandwich and going off to school.

“I said ‘why would you do that if you’ve won two World Cups?’ and he said ‘I’m scared that if I stop doing the work, my body will shut down’. So he works incredibly hard to maintain his ability to play.

England open their Rugby World Cup challenge on September 22 next year and Hartley’s anticipation has been heightened by the support the nation’s football team received during the march to the semi-final of Russia 2018.

“I really enjoyed the fanfare. I don’t watch football games but I watched football games during the World Cup,” Hartley said.

“In England we are very patriotic given the chance. I think we saw the best side of ourselves.

“I think if we win the country will follow. Especially at World Cups. No one’s going to remember performances, they’re going to remember results.”