Borthwick has been under fire ever since he took over the skipper's role in 2008 but has retained Martin Johnson’s faith up until now.

But with the inclusion of Northampton starlet Courtney Lawes in the senior EPS squad, Edwards believes Borthwick’s days could be numbered.

“The problem is that it is hard to see England playing Steve Borthwick and [Courtney] Lawes, then that would leave the second row short on the kind of scrummaging muscle needed behind the tighthead prop,” said Edwards, speaking to the Guardian.

“A better pairing would be Lawes and Simon Shaw, who, based on his Lions form and the difference he made during limited time he played in the autumn, has to be a shoo-in.

“However, that in turn leaves questions about the lineout as well as Borthwick's captaincy.

“Johnson has said he will deal with the captaincy question closer to February 6.”