The Cumbrian-born lock could add to his 27 caps by lining up against France at Twickenham on Sunday week - possibly in place of club colleague Danny Grewcock - as England look to recover quickly from a record 43-13 pummelling by Ireland.

Borthwick was rested for the 2006 summer tour to Australia and then suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for this season’s four-game autumn series, but he is now firmly on the comeback trail.

He said: “It is a 28-man squad at the moment, and hopefully I will get an opportunity to be involved in the match-day squad, but it is certainly a step forward from where I was.

“It has been a long road to try to fight my way back - it was certainly a frustrating time being out injured.”

Bath head coach Steve Meehan added: “Steve is somebody who worked hard in his rehabilitation when he was injured; he has worked hard on his rugby since he returned against Harlequins; and he has worked hard for the team off the pitch.

“He is in the squad of 28 and, for his sake, let’s hope that he is named in the 22 and, preferably, in the starting XV.”

Borthwick’s immediate priority will be to deal Premiership relegation favourites Worcester another huge survival setback when the clubs clash at Sixways on Saturday.

Worcester are currently seven points adrift of 11th-placed Northampton, and they have yet to record a home league win this term, but Warriors rugby director John Brain has not given up the ghost.