England have placed Stade Francais lock Tom Palmer on standby for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France amid growing concerns over the fitness of Steve Borthwick.
The England captain saw two specialists yesterday after aggravating a problem with his left knee during last weekend’s 15-15 draw with Scotland but received conflicting opinions.
As a result, Borthwick has been advised to spend 48 hours with his leg in a brace and missed training today. His condition will be reviewed tomorrow.
Northampton lock Courtney Lawes was on the bench for England at Murrayfield but Palmer has been drafted in from Paris because of his superior lineout knowledge.
“I didn’t train with the team today. I have had a brace on. We got slightly different views yesterday. One was more positive than the other,” said Borthwick.
“We decided the best course of action was to monitor it for 48 hours. I am in rehab with the physios and they will assess it again tomorrow. I am just doing everything I can.
“There was an incident late in the game on Saturday and I just had a sharp occurrence. It is something I have been rehabbing a little bit over the last few weeks – but this is different.”
Borthwick, who runs the England lineout, has captain England in every Test since Johnson was appointed as team manager and he is frustrated at having to wait.
“We want to deal in a black and white world but in medicine things aren’t black and white,” he said.
Johnson knows who he would appoint as captain if Borthwick was ruled out, with Harlequins number eight Nick Easter the favourite to be chosen from a senior leadership group that also includes Mike Tindall, Mark Cueto and Lewis Moody.
“We know who will captain the team if that happens,” said Johnson.
“I was talking to Steve about it and the good thing is that there is a core leadership group.
“If you are relying on one guy for your leadership you are vulnerable by definition.
“Lewis has stood out whether he’s playing or not, Nick Easter is part of that and Dylan Hartley is growing into it.
“Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley add to that as experienced players, Toby Flood is growing into it and Mike Tindall adds to it.”
© Examiner Publications (Cork) Limited, City Quarter, Lapps Quay, Cork. Registered in Ireland: 73385.