Borthwick named England skipper

Eurosport - Tue, 28 Oct 10:56:00 2008

Steve Borthwick has been named captain of England by manager Martin Johnson.

Steve Borthwick (R) - England - 0

Saracens lock Borthwick (pictured right) retains the captain's armband after leading England during their losing summer series in New Zealand, when previous skipper Phil Vickery (pictured left) was injured.

The 29-year-old Borthwick also captained England to victory over Italy in Rome in last season's Six Nations championship.

Johnson, who led England to the 2003 World Cup title from the second row, confirmed that Borthwick had not been appointed for a specific period.

"Firstly, I"d like to thank Phil Vickery for everything he did for the team while he was captain," said Johnson.

"Like Phil, Steve is a good leader and always prepares thoroughly for all his matches at club and international level and I'm looking forward to working with him.

"I won't be giving Steve a specific amount of time in the job. I just want to support him as much as possible and I know he will enjoy all the responsibility and work that comes with being Captain of England."

Borthwick has won 39 caps since making his debut for England against France in 2001.

"My three games as England captain have been away from home so to lead the team out at Twickenham will be a special moment," said Borthwick.

"But my overriding aim is to help England get off to a winning start in the Investec Challenge series.

"I really enjoyed the week we had together in August and it showed what a good squad we have and that will hold us in good stead as we prepare for four very challenging games.

"The squad and the coaching team is excellent and I'm really looking forward to our preparation and the games over the next four weeks."

Although a member of England's elite squad, Vickery is no longer guaranteed a place in the starting XV due to the form of Bath's Matt Stevens and Sale powerhouse Andrew Sheridan.

England's 32-man elite player squad assembled at their Surrey training base on Sunday to start preparing for their autumn series, which starts against the Pacific Islands at Twickenham on November 8.

They also face Australia, South Africa and New Zealand over the following three weekends.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. ONLY REASON I HAVE STAYED SOUTH OF THE BORDER IS TO GO TO TWIKERS!!!!!!!!! TO SEE THE ENGLISH GETING BEAT BY THE SCOTS, WELSH, IRISH, FRENCH, OR EVEN THE BOYS FROM ITALY!!! CANT WAIT FOR THE 6 NATIONS TO START!!!! SORRY FORGOT ABOUT THE AUSSIES,THE ALL BLACKS, THE PUMAS,& THE SPRINGBOKS!!! BRING IT ON BOYS!!!!!

    From the flying scotsman, on Wed 29 Oct 3:24AM

  2. sorry paul stay in stirling!!!!!!!!! still dont care on who becomes the english captain!!!! come on ye famous & mighty scots!!!!!!!!

    From the flying scotsman, on Wed 29 Oct 3:13AM

  3. Typical from the flying jock,i mean scotsman.They hate everything about england and i bet the tight twit lives here.

    From paulbalkwill@..., on Tue 28 Oct 5:31PM

  4. Safe choice as he's someone who is alway going to warrant a place let's hope he steps up and grows into the role and allow the team to build in statue around him

    From Julie, on Tue 28 Oct 12:15PM

  5. who really cares who becomes the english rugby captain!!!!!!!!!! come on ye scots!!!!

    From the flying scotsman, on Tue 28 Oct 9:57AM

  6. i wish rugby can be broadcast in the united states again on television :(

    From phillip m, on Tue 28 Oct 12:47AM

  7. The footie fanatics who winge about diving and shirt pulling and general acting of the prima donnas would be well advised to have a look at this picture and imagine what it would be like for Ronaldo or Drogba to be tackled full on by one of these hard boys. When they get sent to the sin bin it is not for handbags at 10 paces and football would benefit from taking on some of the rules. By the way I am a football fan but am Welsh so we are hoping these boys will be no where near hard enough!!

    From taff, on Mon 27 Oct 11:40PM

  8. not suprised borthwick is captain because he was martin johnsons sarecen teamate

    From scott.syson, on Mon 27 Oct 7:20PM

    Yeah... Johnno was a Tigers player, mate.

    From jaylandshoft@..., on Mon 27 Oct 10:13PM

  9. I think Borthwick is a good choice for Captain and hope it will be something that Johnson will allowed to build on the same as happened with him - England need a settled squad of players who can fit in to the team when needed and not look or play out of place.

    As for Scott's comment - Don't think Martin Johnson ever played for Saracens - many succesful years at Leicester but never Saracens - and if he did then it was not when Borthwick was there as he has only just stopped playing for Bath

    From quoling, on Mon 27 Oct 9:34PM

  10. Hope his nose gets better soon

    From bowesey17, on Mon 27 Oct 8:25PM

  11. First comment by Scott - when did Martin Johnson EVER play for Saracens?

    From Ian, on Mon 27 Oct 7:31PM

  12. not suprised borthwick is captain because he was martin johnsons sarecen teamate

    From scott.syson@..., on Mon 27 Oct 7:20PM

  13. Where sexyy beauties and quality singless mingle ---
    MatchWealthy
    com
    ------for all se x y beauties and wealthyy singles to hookk up

    From Alicy K, on Mon 27 Oct 6:12PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account