Deposed England captain Steve Borthwick has set his sights on winning back his place in Martin Johnson's elite player squad.
Saracens determined to win back England place
Deposed England captain Steve Borthwick has set his sights on winning back his place in Martin Johnson's elite player squad.
Borthwick was the biggest casualty from the 32-man squad named for the coming season - with the Saracens lock losing out to Simon Shaw, Tom Palmer, Courtney Lawes and Dave Attwood.
Having led England throughout Johnson's spell in charge, Borthwick missed the RBS Six Nations clash with France before being rested for the tour Down Under due to tendinitis in his knee.
And in his absence, Lawes and Palmer - as well as the uncapped Attwood - have moved above him in the pecking order.
Borthwick, though, insists he is far from finished - and is focused on forcing his way back into the reckoning.
"You always plan for a positive result and not to be selected was bitterly disappointing," Borthwick, who is in the Saxons squad, told
The Times.
"I reckon I was playing pretty well during the Six Nations and I would certainly have backed myself but I wasn't on the tour.
"I won't dwell on the negative side. The team is more important than I am, but I desperately want to be part of the success of the England team - that's all I ever wanted.
"The guys played well and when you have an opportunity as a player that's what you must do, take it.
"But I believe I did the job asked of me over the last number of internationals. I'll get myself into the best possible condition to come back."
