Borthwick injury a 'non-issue'

Bath have played down injury fears surrounding their captain Steve Borthwick.

Borthwick suffered knee trouble during his team's 43-25 Guinness Premiership victory over Leicester four days ago but Bath's acting head coach Steve Meehan believes the 27-year-old could be involved in Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash with Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.

"Steve is being monitored by our medical staff and at this point in time it is a non-issue," said Meehan.

"He will be training with the team on Friday and there is a chance he will be selected for the game on Saturday."

Borthwick's situation will come as another boost to England head coach Andy Robinson.

Robinson, who is under pressure following five successive defeats, has received positive news about Borthwick's fellow England elite squad members Andy Farrell, Lewis Moody and Ben Kay this week.

Former Great Britain rugby league captain Farrell made his union debut 18 months after switching codes, Moody came through a Leicester A Game unscathed following an arm injury and fellow Tiger Kay was told his shoulder problem could heal in time for him to face Harlequins next week.