“They are four tough games,” said the Saracens lock. “They will face three of the best teams from the Southern Hemisphere, the Tri-Nations teams, so it’s fierce competition but I think they will do very well.”
Borthwick has not featured in the England elite squad since last season’s Six Nations and was replaced as captain by Lewis Moody after being ruled out with a knee injury. Since he returned to fitness the England head coach Martin Johnson has looked to youth in the shape of Courtney Lawes and Dave Attwood in the second row rather than recall the 31-year-old.
Yet Borthwick remains extremely proud of his time as captain of his country, insisting the steep learning curve experienced during his 20 games leading the team will serve the players well in an important 12 months of international rugby culminating in the World Cup in New Zealand.
“You work desperately hard to be successful so when you have a defeat it’s really disappointing. I think what is important is not to dwell on it but to look at why there was a defeat, why did it happen and work to be a better team.”
Martin Johnson’s outfit will look to build on a promising tour in Australia and New Zealand during the summer after what was a tumultuous start to his management when the blame for defeats fell most heavily on his and Borthwick’s shoulders.
“During that period there was a lot of change with new players and new coaches and it was developing,” he explained.
“We went through some pretty harsh experiences that will make the team stronger for the future. Sometimes you go through tough experiences and you reap the rewards later on.”
England face Tri-Nations champions New Zealand on Saturday and will play Australia, Samoa and South Africa over the next month.
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