Steve Borthwick

Profile

A model professional, Steve Borthwick captained England for the 21st time against Scotland in the penultimate match of the 2010 RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield before missing the France game and the summer tour to Australasia through tendinitis in his left knee.

He had guided England to second place in the 2009 Championship, having inspired Bath Rugby to a 24-16 win over Worcester Warriors in the 2008 European Challenge Cup final – his last game after ten years with the club.

Steve then signed a four-year contract with Saracens, whom he is again captaining this season. He had shared the leadership 2008-09 with former international teammate Andy Farrell, now England Saxons’ assistant coach.

Work ethic and integrity were stamped on England’s performances when Carlisle-born Steve took over as full-time captain from Phil Vickery for the Investec Challenge Series three years ago, having stood in for the previous summer’s tour of New Zealand.     

He graduated to top level after representing England Schools 18 Group, Colts, Under 21s and A team, a side he led regularly, dating back to his debut game that brought a 19-19 draw with Wales A at Wrexham in February 2001.

Steve’s first cap was in the France match at Twickenham two months after his A team debut while his Test tries were in consecutive appearances at HQ, bridging 17 months, initially against Ireland in March 2006 and then against Wales in the 2007 RWC warm up match. He achieved the feat of playing every minute of England’s 11 Tests in 2008.

Educated at Hutton Grammar School, Preston, he moved south from the Preston Grasshoppers club to Bath University, where he obtained a degree in Economics and Politics.

Back in Lancashire, the Borthwick effect goes on with seven students in his year at school sharing in Hutton RFC’s North Lancashire Two league title triumph in 2008-09. The old boys’ club was formed only four years ago.  

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