Autumn internationals news: Steve Borthwick ruled out of England tour
05/05/2010
Steve Borthwick may have his work cut out to feature in the autumn internationals after being ruled out for three months with a knee injury.
The knock, which has hampered the England captain for some time, will keep Borthwick out of the summer tour to the southern hemisphere to face Australia and the New Zealand Maori.
It could also hurt his chances of regaining a place at lock for the autumn internationals against New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and South Africa.
Despite the potential ramifications that the injury may have on the lock's England future, Brendan Venter, his coach at Saracens, pointed out that the imposed break from the game may not be a bad thing.
"He's played so long without a serious injury that a three-month break might prove a breathing space which in the end prolongs his career," Venter told the Times.
The injury means Borthwick will also miss out on his club side's attempt to reach their first-ever Guinness Premiership final.
Posted by Sam Smith