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Rugby Union

Borthwick is "natural choice", Johnson claims

13/05/2008

Martin Johnson believes that Steve Borthwick is a "natural choice" to captain England on the summer tour to New Zealand.

The England manager handed the captaincy to Borthwick ahead of the June tour after Phil Vickery, who led the side in the World Cup, was left out of the squad with injury.

But Johnson believes Borthwick is the ideal choice to lead the team describing him as a "model player" in his approach to the game.

"Steve is very well respected among the squad, an established international player and a very good leader," he said.

Johnson said that Borthwick would not be the only leader on the pitch and said that he would not be the only influence on the team.

"I think people always put too much emphasis on who is the captain," he explained.

Mike Tindall, a member of the 2003 World Cup winning side, missed the Six Nations through injury but Johnson believes his influence could be crucial on the tour.

"There are guys like Mike Tindall there as well who is one of the most experienced players and a few others will have to step up with the absence of a few senior guys," said Johnson.

But despite the presence of senior players such as Tindall, Johnson believes Borthwick is the right man for the captaincy.

"Steve was an obvious choice," he said.

England face the All Blacks on June 14th and June 21st but Johnson will not be on the tour due to the birth of his second child meaning Rob Andrew, the director of elite rugby, will take charge.