Martin Johnson's anguish over Steve Borthwick

Martin Johnson today admitted that the decision to axe captain Steve Borthwick from the England squad was the most difficult he has faced since his appointment as manager in 2008.

The Saracens lock missed England's summer tour of Australasia after failing to recover from a shoulder injury suffered during the Six Nations and was then left out of the 32-man Elite Player Squad named last month and demoted to the Saxons.

"It doesn't come any tougher than that call — he didn't get what he deserved," Johnson said. "We had the conversation and he instantly said, I will prove you wrong'. He didn't moan. That's what you need.

"But if you are playing well enough and you are the number one guy, you will find yourself in the team again."

New Bath flanker Lewis Moody has taken the armband in Borthwick's absence and led England to a rare win in Australia in June but Johnson refused to confirm Moody in the role for next year's World Cup.

"I'm not going to commit to that," Johnson said.