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Current England captain Steve Borthwick has explained that the chance to work with former Eddie Jones was the main reason he moved from Bath to Saracens.

Former Australia coach Jones took charge at the Guinness Premiership club this summer and Borthwick was one of his first signings as they look to build on recent successes.

"As soon as I met with Eddie Jones and heard his vision for Saracens, I knew it was something that I wanted to be part of," said Borthwick, who skippered England on their losing summer tour to New Zealand.

"Saracens have been moving forward for the past two years in making the semi-finals of four competitions in two years and with Eddie coming to the club, things are in place to take the next step and it's going to be exciting to be part of it."

Jones guided Australia to the final of the 2003 World Cup, which they lost to England, and Borthwick is confident he will be able to help the experienced coach to take Saracens to the next level.

Saracens have reached four semi-finals in the past two seasons without adding any silverware to their trophy cabinet.

"At 28 as a second row, the next few seasons are my peak years. To join a club like this which shares my ambitions was something that I couldn't say no to," added Borthwick.

"Bath will always have a special place in my heart and it was a big decision for me to leave after 10 years. It's been a huge part of my life especially as I was also captain of the club, but the time was right for me to do something else.

"Saracens has signed me to continue to do what I have been doing and to do that very well. But I always want to improve as a player and having a new club to work with will help in that challenge. I want to get better.

"I didn't get the chance to have much of a break after getting back from New Zealand but I'm not worried about that because I wanted to get started here as soon as possible.

"Everyone seems on the right track and working really hard and it won't be long before the season starts."

Saracens open their 2008-9 Premiership campaign against Harlequins in the double-header at Twickenham on September 6.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport