Steve Borthwick still leading man for the Six Nations opener

Steve Borthwick will lead England in their Six Nations opener against Wales on Saturday week after being retained as captain by Martin Johnson.

The 30-year-old's place appeared to be under threat when Johnson delayed naming his skipper for the tournament. England's lacklustre autumn performances, combined with the emergence of Northampton lock Courtney Lawes, led some critics to call for Borthwick to be dropped, with Lewis Moody, Nick Easter and Jonny Wilkinson candidates to take the captaincy.

But Johnson has stood by his man, although whether Borthwick will keep the armband for the duration of the Six Nations remains to be seen.

Borthwick has been in top form for Saracens this season and has been captain in all 14 of Johnson's matches in charge. But his abilities at Test level are constantly challenged and many question whether he is the inspirational figure England need at the helm.

Borthwick is with the rest of the national squad in Portugal, where Johnson has called up props Matt Mullan and Dan Cole, Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw, Wasps No8 Dan Ward-Smith and Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs as cover for injured Andrew Sheridan, Julian White, Tom Croft, Joe Worsley and Harry Ellis. James Haskell's fitness is also being monitored after the Stade Francais flanker hurt his knee at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter is delighted by the signing of England prop Matt Stevens, who is halfway through a two-year drugs ban. "This is massively significant," he said "Matt is a world-class prop with his best rugby ahead of him."