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ENGLAND team manager Martin Johnson has left the door open for Cumbrian Steve Borthwick to return as England captain for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The Carlisle-born lock was last month axed from the senior 32-man squad after a knee injury forced him to miss the summer tour of Australia.

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Lewis Moody took over as captain and became only the second man, after Johnson, to lead England to a Test match victory over the Wallabies on Australian soil.

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Having captained England in Johnson’s first 20 matches in charge, Borthwick was dropped and slipped so far out of favour that he was no longer considered one of his best four locks.

The Saracens captain, from Belle Vue, Carlisle, had to make do with a place in the second-string Saxons squad, but now Johnson could be set to offer him a way back into favour.

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Johnson said: “We had the conversation and Steve instantly said: ‘I’ll prove you wrong’. That is exactly what you want. He hasn’t whined about it, he hasn’t moaned about it.

“It is very competitive. The great thing about this camp is we have got the senior 32, which was a tough call, but also the guys who did not make it have all come back.

“There is big pressure on guys. Anyone who thinks they are comfortable in the England 32 won’t be there for very long. Guys are wondering how they are going to get in. It is very competitive and the best squad we have ever had.”

In the space of three Tests, Borthwick also sidelined for the defeat to France in the RBS 6 Nations – slipped from being England’s captain to outside the top four second-row options.

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Gloucester lock Dave Attwood took his chance with some impressive performances on the England tour, while Courtney Lawes and Tom Palmer both excelled in the Test victory in Sydney.

But Johnson added: “I said to the guys we are treating the whole group as a squad. It is not Saxons and seniors.

“If you are playing better than the number one guy then there is never a time when you haven’t found yourself in the England team. Steve knows that and he is keen to get cracking.”

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ULSTER have been rocked by another preseason injury blow in the space of the week as the countdown to the new season gathers momentum.

New South African signing, Ruan Pienaar, has suffered an AC join injury while playing for Natal Sharks in the latest series of Currie Cup matches.

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The 26-year-old Springbok international scrumhalf could be out for up to six weeks and that would mean a delay in his debut for the Irish province.

Only last week, Ulster got confirmation that the Sharks would release Pienaar for September 1 - although it was agreed that if he was selected for the South African's final Tri Nations series match against New Zealand, he would be released.

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That would already have meant him missing the opening game of the season at Ravenhill, if selected, against defending Magners League champions, Ospreys.

However, the injury could see the exciting halfback not make his first appearance for Ulster until late September or early October.

Ulster were rocked last week with a 12- week injury blow to Irish international winger, Andrew Trimble.

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Trimble return to training with the Province having suffered a finger injury while touring with Ireland in the summer series down under against New Zealand and Australia.

However, having been released by Ireland, it was the Ulster medical team who discovered the injury was more serious than initially thought and Trimble underwent surgery last week and is not expected to return for at least 10 weeks.

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Tommy Bell’s reputation as one of the top young players in the country has been enhanced following a successful tour to South Africa with England Under 18s rugby team.

While England’s remarkable winning run of 19 games came to an end with a 23-17 defeat to the Boks, Bell said the trip was a success.

The Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupil played in all three matches on the tour, finishing with a personal haul of 23 points.

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“I feel I have been getting better and better with every appearance I have made which culminated with the tour to South Africa.

“From a personal point of view I think it went very well,” said Bell who has played his last game for the age group as he is now too old.

“To get to play in the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth against South Africa was an incredible experience and something I will always remember.

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Bell, who started all three matches at inside centre, starred with the boot in the opening 35-10 win over Namibia, kicking five out of five conversions.

It was also his break that lead to the opening try of the tour.

He kicked three more conversions in the second game, a 66-19 win over France, before limping off early in the second half with a dead leg.

And in the final game of the tour, Bell scored a try and kicked another conversion.

“It was great to score a try and I was delighted with my kicking,” added.

“It was the first time I was the main kicker for England because I usual number one was injured.”

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Hartley missed England's summer tour of Australia and New Zealand to have an operation on his knee and Saints had feared he might not make the start of the upcoming campaign.

England will give Hartley a medical review at next week's Elite Player Squad training camp at Twickenham.

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"Dylan will be okay," said Mallinder. "He has been running around in training and he will be fine for the start of the season. The knee has not been a problem and looking at it from my practical eye he is getting there. "

Saints' sevens squad play in the JP Asset Management Premiership Sevens finals tonight, but the serious pre-season programme starts next Friday with a trip to Bedford Blues.

And Mallinder is expecting Hartley to play a part in Saints' pre-season friendlies, ear-marking the following week's trip to Capbreton in France to take on Pro D2 side US Dax.

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The Saints director of rugby added: "He has got an EPS week next week, so he is away with England - I'm not quite sure what he will do there.
"And then he will be coming away to play Dax with us with the aim of him playing in France."

Mallinder confirmed prop Euan Murray is fit and raring to go for the start of the season after missing the Scotland tour of Argentina because of ankle problems.

And after suffering a worrying neck injury in the Heineken Cup clash with Munster last season, Mallinder says Christian Day has made a full recovery.

"Euan Murray is fine now as well and training well. He is looking sharp.
"We have had a few little minor pulls and things from excessive pre-season training, but nothing to worry about."

Ireland V England Hospitality

England V Ireland Hospitality