France v England, Six Nations, March 20
England waiting on Borthwick fitness
Scrum.com
March 16, 2010

England have a fitness concern over skipper Steve Borthwick prior to their final Six Nations game against Grand Slam-chasing France.

Borthwick left the squad's Pennyhill Park Hotel base after a light training session on Tuesday morning in order to seek specialist treatment on a long-standing knee injury. England manager Martin Johnson will name his team for the Stade de France clash on Wednesday and admitted that Borthwick's participation is not certain.

"Steve has gone for treatment for a long-term wear and tear issue he has got with his knee. I don't know [whether he is a doubt] at the moment," he said. "He has to go and seek some advice. Hopefully it is just precautionary and he will be fine. Lots of guys carry things because they play a lot of rugby."

Winger Ugo Monye and fly-half Jonny Wilkinson are also selection doubts after suffering heavy blows to the neck and head respectively. Monye is hopeful of taking his place in the side while Wilkinson must pass a series of cognitive tests before being passed fit to play. Lock Simon Shaw is expected to resume training after a shoulder problem.

Johnson wants his side to perform against the form team in the tournament and dismissed suggestions that England were "inhibited."

"They have been the form team of the tournament but we are an international team playing for England and we want to perform," said Johnson. "They have got a lot to lose in terms of not winning a Grand Slam. We have a lot to lose every time we play for England.

"Frustration was the buzzword on Saturday within our group and not much has changed. The perception that the team is shackled and inhibited is wrong. We tried to do the right thing most of the time against Scotland but the mistakes killed us."

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