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Borthwick leading by example
Borthwick: Example to set
England captain Steve Borthwick has outlined the importance of his team's responsibility to act as role models.
The Saracens lock will lead England for a 17th consecutive international in Saturday's Six Nations clash against Wales at Twickenham.
Only Will Carling, with an unbroken run of 44 Tests, has done it more often.
Borthwick enjoys a relatively low profile, especially when compared to England football captain John Terry.
There have been calls for Terry to resign from his position following allegations about his private life.
Borthwick declined to address the Terry situation - but he was happy to explain the importance placed within the England rugby squad on setting the right example to the next generation.
Borthwick does not believe the standards demanded of a captain should be any different to those responsibilities placed on the shoulder of any international player.
"After games and open training sessions, you see guys like Jonny Wilkinson and all the players signing autographs for hundreds of kids," said Borthwick.
"All the players have a responsibility. They all understand they are helping other young rugby players come through. If you are not captain you still have that responsibility.
"Captaining England is a great privilege for me. When Johnno asked me to captain the side it was a great honour.
"I am the same whether I am captain of the team or not. I bring my hard work, intensity, attention to detail and leadership.
"You seem to think that because I have 'captain' after my name I have got to act differently or be different around the group. Johnno (Martin Johnson) has asked me to captain the side because of what I do.
"It would be a dangerous path for me to change because I have got captain after my name."
The only scrutiny Borthwick has faced since taking over as captain in the summer of 2008 has been for his leadership of the England squad on the field.
"Thankfully very few people (stop me in the street and say 'you are Steve Borthwick, England captain'). Living in London I am a very anonymous person," he said.
"While I am honoured to be captain I have never said it is about me.
"While I am singled out because I have captain after me in the match programme and I lead the side out, a leadership group is very important.
"We are developing a leadership group of some stature when you think of Lewis Moody, Jonny Wilkinson, Mark Cueto, Simon Shaw.
"The success of any side needs a strong leadership group."
