Johnson names Borthwick as captain

on October 30, 2008 by Administrator

Steve Borthwick has been named England captain for the team's autumn internationals. The Saracens lock, who is 29 years of age, was appointed by England manager Martin Johnson.

Borthwick led the national side during the New Zealand summer tour as a result of the absence of previous captain, Phil Vickery. Vickery is no longer one of the first names on the England team sheet, primarily as a result of injuries and the impressive form of Matt Stevens. As such, Johnson would have been somewhat foolish to name the Wasps prop as skipper.

However, the England manager was quick to recognise, and show appreciation for, the influence Vickery has had on the national team. Johnson publicly thanked the prop, who he played alongside during the successful World Cup campaign, for the work he has done with the team during his time as captain and continued to compare Steve Borthwick with the England legend.

Martin Johnson has made a sensible choice in picking Borthwick. He has experience as England captain and was first handed the honour during this year's Six Nations fixture against Italy. He enjoyed ten successful years at Bath, winning the European Challenge Cup last season, but decided to join Saracens earlier this year.

The director of rugby at the club, Eddie Jones, believes that the player should be captain of the national side as a result of his hard-working, competitive nature. Jones believes that Borthwick is extremely