Borthwick doubtful for France finale March 17, 2010
England captain Steve Borthwick is doubtful for the Six Nations finale away to France on Saturday with a knee injury.
The Saracens lock left England's training base in Bagshot, south-west of London, on Tuesday to consult a specialist regarding his longstanding knee problem but may not be fit for the Stade de France clash which wraps up the 2010 Six Nations Championship.
England manager Martin Johnson, who is due to name his team for the Paris match on Wednesday, was uncertain as to whether second row Borthwick would be in his line-up.
"Steve has gone for treatment for a long-term wear and tear issue he has got with his knee. I don't know (whether he is a doubt) at the moment," Johnson said on Tuesday.
"He has to go and seek some advice. Hopefully it is just precautionary and he will be fine," England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain added.
"Lots of guys carry things because they play a lot of rugby."
England also have fitness concerns over wing Ugo Monye and outside-half Jonny Wilkinson, who were both replaced early on in last weekend's 15-15 draw away to Scotland after suffering blows to the neck and head respectively.
Wilkinson, who collided with Borthwick's hip, will need to pass a series of tests to convince medics he is suffering no lingering after-effects before being cleared to play against France.
Monye suffered his neck injury in a clash with Scotland flanker Kelly Brown at Murrayfield but England medical staff have said the Harlequins wing has been making "good progress".
Meanwhile the likes of fit-again lock Simon Shaw, full-back Ben Foden and World Cup-winning centre Mike Tindall will all be vying for starting spots.
France will win the Grand Slam if they beat England this weekend and Johnson said: "They have been the form team of the tournament but we are an international team playing for England and we want to perform.
They have got a lot to lose in terms of not winning a Grand Slam. We have a lot to lose every time we play for England.
"Frustration was the buzz word on Saturday within our group and not much has changed," Johnson added.
England, who have only won twice against Wales and Italy in this Six Nations, failed to score a try against Scotland in what ex-England fly-half Stuart Barnes labelled "another witless attacking display".
Certainly England for all their resources, have struggled in attack throughout this Six Nations and have been reduced to a slow, forward-orientated game which hasn't even had the compensation of being especially effective.
However, Johnson insisted: "The perception that the team is shackled and inhibited is wrong. We tried to do the right thing most of the time against Scotland but the mistakes killed us."
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