Borthwick agrees new Saracens deal

Saracens captain Steve Borthwick has extended his contract with the Aviva Premiership champions.

Borthwick, who was ignored by Martin Johnson for the World Cup despite his domestic success, was the England team manager's chosen captain until a knee injury forced him out of the 2010 Six Nations.

After that setback, the focus turned to Lewis Moody, who has taken the squad to New Zealand despite suffering his own injury concerns.

Borthwick responded to his international disappointment by helping Sarries produce an outstanding finish to the domestic season, which culminated in victory over Leicester Tigers in the Premiership final at Twickenham, and the Vicarage Road club kick off their title defence at the same stadium in the London Double Header against London Wasps on Saturday.

Borthwick, 31, insists last season's triumph was merely the start, rather than the culmination, of what has been planned for Saracens.

He said: "People talk about Saracens as a special club and they are right in many ways, not least because there is a special work ethic at the club, where everybody tries unbelievably hard all of the time.

"We have a long way to go in many respects and I'm looking forward to the journey."