Wales hooker Scott Baldwin has showered praise on England captain and opposite number Dylan Hartley ahead of a crunch Six Nations clash between the countries 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 on March 12 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. 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 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 amid Twickenham’s white-hot cauldron.

“That’s not part of my game,” he added. “I 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 lineouts, he gets around the park, he carries and he makes his tackles. He’s an all-round player.”