The England captain, Steve Borthwick, has been ruled out of next month's tour to Australia and New Zealand. The Saracens second-row missed England's last Six Nations match against France with tendinitis in his leg and has now accepted that he will not be fit in time to take his place in Martin Johnson's squad.

The news was confirmed by the Saracens' director of rugby, Brendan Venter, who told the Times: "Steve tried really hard to be fit for Saturday's game with Leicester but on Monday morning he said it wasn't right.

"It might not be a bad thing. He's played so long without a serious injury that a three-month break might prove a breathing space which in the end prolongs his career."

Lewis Moody is expected to continue to deputise for Borthwick on the five-match tour, which includes two Tests against Australia and a game against New Zealand Maori in Napier.