England Rugby
Borthwick taking nothing for granted
Scrum.com
August 12, 2009
England lock Steve Borthwick in action during a training session, England training session, Twickenham, England, August 12, 2009
Lock Steve Borthwick in action during England's open training session at Twickenham © Getty Images
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England lock Steve Borthwick is well aware that he must earn a place in Martin Johnson's side before contemplating leading his country once again.

The Saracens second row was handed the England captaincy by his manager last summer and has held onto the honour in the face of criticism of his own performances. However, the 29-year-old is taking nothing for granted as the team begin their preparations for this year's November internationals.

"I've not had any discussions with Johnno about it." revealed Borthwick ahead of Wednesday's open training session at Twickenham.

"My understanding, as it always should be, is that the team is picked first," he continued. "The first Test is in November and unless I hear any different from Johnno that's the way it is. Every one of us has to earn his place in the team and Johnno will then make a decision."

Borthwick was singled out by many after a disappointing autumn series last year that included crushing defeats to southern hemisphere rivals Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. But the team restored some pride with a second place finish in this year's Six Nations Championship before a drawn series with Argentina. And Borthwick, who collected his 50th cap against the Pumas in Salta, is confident of further improvement.

"I think we've come a long way since last year," he said. "The more time that this team spends with Martin Johnson the more it will reflect his leadership and his management and that is a very good thing. All the players enjoy working under him and his coaching team and all the players learn from him. It's time.

"If you look back to that period [last year], the coaching team had changed and the player group had changed massively. Coming round to the Six Nations we'd spent more time together, we'd developed our tactics and some of the players who were not involved in the autumn were involved in the Six Nations.

"We now have some stability, the coaching team has been together for a year, the players have been working with them for a year and understand what is required of them and that is very important. We've come a long way but there's always more we can do, we can be better and that's why we're here working as hard as we are."

In Johnson, who led England to their memorable Rugby World Cup triumph in 2003 and also the British & Irish Lions on two tours, Borthwick has the perfect role model when it comes to leadership and he is grateful for the influence the England legend has had on his game.

"It's not that we sit down and talk about the captaincy," said Borthwick, who has led his country 14 times and will once again captain Sarries this season. "It is in every training session and in reviewing every game, it is a case of listening to what is said to me as an individual, to the team or to another individual. You can always learn from the mistakes you make and also the good things that happen, to reinforce those good habits. I believe I am a better player and a better captain from having worked alongside Martin and his coaching team."

Asked for the secret of Johnson's approach, Borthwick insisted there were many elements but the focus he has brought to the side rated highly in the pecking order.

"It is his understanding of the game and his ability to see exactly what is important at that key moment in time, and almost simplify it slightly, that ability that we as an England team can focus on. That's been important for me," he revealed.

"There aren't that many distractions around in international rugby but we as players need to ensure we minimise them and having Martin there has really helped focus the attitude of this team.

"You saw that last season in the Six Nations and you definitely saw that in Argentina with the new caps coming in, going to one of the toughest places in international rugby, unfortunately we lost but we showed great character but that was a reflection of Martin's leadership."

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