Johnson backs Borthwick to return

Borthwick was Johnson's captain for his first 20 Tests in charge

England coach Martin Johnson has assured Steve Borthwick he still has an international future despite dropping him from the elite 32-man squad.

Borthwick, 30, was captain for Johnson's first 20 Tests in charge but the Saracens lock was demoted to the second-string Saxons squad in July.

Johnson said: "Steve didn't whinge or moan, he said 'I will prove you wrong'.

"[He knows] if you are playing better than the number one guy there is never a time you [won't be] in the team."

Borthwick was left out of the senior squad after a knee injury forced him to miss the summer tour of Australia.

Bath's Lewis Moody replaced Borthwick as captain and became the second captain, after Johnson in 2003, to lead England to a Test match victory over the Wallabies on Australian soil.

606: DEBATE MJ seems to be introducing new young players and grafting them into the squad alongside experienced players whilst at the same time easing players out who do not cut the mustard, like Borthwick, Banahan, Goode and Deacon ruck40fun

Despite his success, Johnson refused to confirm back-row forward Moody would be his captain through to next year's World Cup in New Zealand.

"I will not commit to Moody being captain until the World Cup," said Johnson.

"It is very competitive. There is big pressure on guys. Anyone who thinks they are comfortable in the England 32 won't be there for very long.

"Guys are wondering how they are going to get in. It is very competitive and the best squad we have ever had."

Johnson has had his squad together for a week's pre-season training camp since 8 August and he added: "I said to the guys we are treating the whole group as a squad. It is not Saxons and seniors."

England, beaten World Cup finalists in France three years ago, begin their 2011 campaign against Argentina in Christchurch on 10 September.

Before then Johnson's side will play four autumn Tests at Twickenham - against New Zealand (6 November), Australia (13 November), Samoa (20 November) and South Africa (27 November).

And England have also announced their World Cup warm-up matches with 2011 fixtures against Wales, home and away on 6 and 13 August, followed by a clash with Ireland in Dublin on 27 August.

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