England’s 32-man elite player squad assembled at their Surrey training base last night and one of new manager Martin Johnson’s first jobs should be to confirm Borthwick as skipper.

They open their autumn programme against the Pacific Islanders on November 8, before facing Tri-Nations heavyweights Australia, South Africa and New Zealand on successive weekends.

Borthwick helped Saracens to a 33-19 EDF Energy Cup victory over Northampton yesterday and earned the acclaim of his club boss Eddie Jones.

“He has done a marvellous job for us, just with his competitiveness. He is so serious about his rugby,” said Jones.

“I wasn’t going to play him but he wanted to play. Then I was only going to play him for 40 minutes and he wouldn’t come off the field.

“That is the sort of commitment you want and if Martin does make him captain and surrounds him with three or four people of the same likeness of mind, that is going to be important.

“If they can do that then the whole talent in England will be galvanised, and there is plenty of talent out there.”

But while Borthwick earned Jones’ praise, the Australian had harsh words for Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, who is also a potentially key part of England’s autumn plans.

Jones was furious after Hartley escaped with only a lecture after a high tackle on Saracens scrum-half Moses Rauluni.

Jones added: “He took the head of the player away from the ball, and it is a serious misdemeanour.

“He has tended to have a reputation off the ball. We are certainly not happy with it.

“He seems like a good kid – he can play a bit – but you don’t want to see players doing those sort of things.

“If he’s doing it in a club game, then you would worry about him in a Test match.”

Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder countered: “I had a quick look at it on the replay and didn’t think it looked that bad, actually.

“He is aggressive, but he’s controlling himself and I think the referee probably made the right decision. It wasn’t the best challenge and he got penalised for it.”

Despite both sides scoring two tries, Saints were undone by Saracens fly-half Gordon Ross as the Scotland international slotted six penalties, a drop-goal and conversion.

Wales star Gavin Henson returned from a two-match ban to score a brilliant try in the Ospreys’ 37-22 success against Worcester which keeps the cup holders on course for a semi-final place.

Nikki Walker, Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe added touchdowns for a bonus point success, with fly-half James Hook kicking 17 points.

Hook’s opposite number Matthew Jones slotted five penalties and a conversion of centre Sam Tuitupou’s second-half try, but the Ospreys were good value for the win.

“There was a moment of magic with James Hook’s pass to Gavin that put him into the midfield hole, but he still had a lot to do,” said Ospreys coach Sean Holley, recalling Henson’s score.

“Gavin showed his fitness and sharpness and it was great to see him finish off like that.”

Centre Henson is among 14 Ospreys players who will report for three days of Wales training today and a starting place against Millennium Stadium visitors South Africa on Saturday week looks assured.