Since Borthwick was appointed at the England helm – Johnson’s men have won just six of their 14 games – prompting pundits and former players alike to call for the skipper’s departure.

But Johnson, who is worried about the line-out with Leicester flanker Tom Croft crocked at present, has given Borthwick a much-needed vote of confidence.

England are currently in Portugal to begin their Six Nations preparations, where blind-side flanker James Haskell is waiting for the results of a scan on a knee injury he sustained at the weekend while playing for club side Stade Francais.

Meanwhile, five players have been called up as injury cover, with props Matt Mullan and Dan Cole replacing Andrew Sheridan and Julian White in Portugal.

Back-rowers Dan Ward-Smith and Chris Robshaw are cover for Tom Croft and Joe Worsley respectively, while scrum-half Ben Youngs fills in for Leicester team-mate Harry Ellis.

Elsewhere, disgraced England prop Matt Stevens has announced he will join Saracens on January 19 following the completion of his two-year drug ban.