Is Borthwick A Player We Would Miss?

England captain Steve Borthwick is likely to be out for a month after a kick to the face from Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam left him with "extreme swelling" around his right eye.

Scans on the injury, though, have revealed that there is no further damage - with Borthwick expected to be back in action within two to four weeks.

A statement from the club read: "Saracens captain Steve Borthwick underwent further scans this morning on the eye injury he sustained in the club's 19-16 victory over Gloucester at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

"The scans revealed no further damage other than the extreme swelling that had already been diagnosed and as a result, he will be ruled out for between two to four weeks."

That means the 29-year-old will be cleared to play in the matches against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand in November.

I know Martin Johnson rates Borthwick but I must question his impact as a player, he does not have the same presence and ability compared to that of Johnson himself. He is not a Carling, Dallaglio or Johnson and not being selected from the Lions Tour shows that I am not the only sceptic of his quality.