The 30-year-old’s place in the starting line-up could also be in jeopardy as speculation mounts that Johnson was set to name a new-look second-row for the start of this year’s Six Nations against Wales at Twickenham.
Johnson may be looking to shake up the pack after three disappointing performances in last year’s Autumn Internationals. If Borthwick is omitted from the starting line-up, inexperienced Courtney Lawes may capitalise and gain his second England cap, or the vastly experienced second-rower Louis Deacon may get the nod.
Borthwick is joined in the squad by fellow Cumbrian Mark Cueto, 30.
Cueto’s solitary try for Sale Sharks this season may not seem ideal form entering the Six Nations campaign but the Cumbrian always seems to find form and more importantly tries when representing England.
Cueto, who has scored eight tries in 16 Six Nation appearances, may be joined in the backline by Borthwick’s former Bath team mate Shontayne Hape and rugby league convert Chris Ashton.
However, the inclusion of Bath centre Hape has been seen as a controversial one by some with the former Bradford Bull star being born in New Zealand. Hape’s rugby league past has set him out as a key playmaker for the England backs as they attempt to improve on the solitary try scored against Argentina during the recent autumn internationals.
Hape, 29, looks set to be the third former New Zealand rugby league international to represent the England Rugby union side. The experienced dual code player looks set to follow in the footsteps of fellow Bradford Bull legends and New Zealand internationals Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo in representing England.
The inclusion of Northampton’s in-form winger Chris Ashton, 22, may also cause Cueto a cause for concern. The former Wigan Warriors rugby league player has set the Guinness Premiership on fire this season racking up fifteen tries in sixteen appearances and will be hoping his rich vein of form will continue into the international scene.
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