Six Nations 2013: Dylan Hartley cools his fire in the hope of an England recall against Scotland I feel that I am in control. It's clear in my head how I need to react. The wheel does not control my whole life but it's there as a mechanism to help you prepare. That game against Ulster, well, I did my usual throwing drills in the week but didn't do my mental preparation correctly. I wasn't playing well, the team wasn't playing well, and I reacted. I don't like talking about it too much as it paints a picture of me, hangs over me and prolongs the process. I do understand, though, that a two-week ban goes on longer than a fortnight in that everyone still talks about it. I do know where that fine line is. Hartley was something of a liability in his early days but he has matured enormously. Wales head coach Warren Gatland tried to rile him two years ago but Hartley responded with a cool-headed display for England in Cardiff. He does not believe that he will be targeted by Scotland. In fact, he would relish the opportunity to be tested because it would mean that he had won the battle for the starting shirt. Hartley said that the sight of Youngs in the England No 2 shirt had made him even more driven in pursuit of his next cap. "It's made me want it even more," he said. As soon as you're not playing in that shirt, it makes you appreciate being in it even more. I want it but I'm going to have to make my point to Stuart and the coaches. I like to think that I have got credit in the bank but it's only right that rugby culture dictates that you have to earn that shirt every time. Nothing is given or taken for granted. Who knows how it will go? When the team is announced it might be a setback for me or I might be thrown a bone. Well as Youngs has played, England set great store on Hartley's contribution. Lancaster made him captain for the third Test in South Africa in June when Chris Robshaw was injured. "Dylan has been a vital cog for us," Graham Rowntree, the England forwards coach, said. His leadership and performances over the last 12 months have been impressive. There's a maturity there but Tom [Youngs] has come in and grabbed his chance with both hands. Hartley played with Youngs for England Under-19s when Youngs was at centre and Hartley at prop. "Tom can do some pretty special things while I guess I'm taller and heavier," Hartley said when asked to assess the differences between them. Everyone went after him about his line-out throwing yet his stats were impeccable. He's risen to the challenge all right, but it's a question of what he does from now on, and how he deals with me. It's good for England, that's for sure. Hartley is at the core of this England team, one of the small group of leaders on whom Lancaster depends. The hooker realises that his most important contribution over the next few days will be to be himself. "There's no need to do anything flash," Hartley said. I have just got to be me. It is clear these days how the coaches operate round here. If they don't trust you, you are not here very long. I am going to train hard and force them to make a difficult decision. May the best man win.