Steve Borthwick has been handed the England captaincy by new manager Martin Johnson.

The Saracens lock has been rewarded with his impressive start to his career at Vicarage Road by retaining the role he performed during England's tour of New Zealand. But the 29-year-old has not been given any assurances about the length of time he will be given as captain.

Saracens' director of rugby Eddie Jones believes he will be an outstanding choice to lead the country.

Jones said: "He has done a marvellous job for us, he really has. Just his competitiveness and he's so serious about his rugby. I wasn't going to play him {against Northampton Saints) but he wanted to play. I was only going to give him 40 minutes and he wouldn't come off the field. "That's the sort of commitment you want and I think if Martin [Johnson] does make him captain and surrounds him with three or four people of the same likeness of mind the whole talent of England will be galvanised. They're some nice guys coming through and they need that strong leadership to pull them all together."