Steve Borthwick has been chosen as the new captain of the England rugby union team, manager Martin Johnson has announced.

Borthwick, like 2003 England World Cup-winning captain Johnson a lock, led the national side during their June tour of New Zealand in the absence through injury of prop forward Phil Vickery.

Defeats in both Tests against the All Blacks were overshadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against several England players.

But with Saracens second-row Borthwick, 29, assured of his place on merit and boasting a good fitness record, Johnson has decided to give him the captaincy on an open-ended basis.

Borthwick's reign as full-time captain starts with November's tough-looking series of Tests at Twickenham where the Pacific Islands, Australia, world champions South Africa and Tri-Nations kings New Zealand provide the opposition on successive weekends.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank Phil Vickery for everything he did for the team while he was captain," said Johnson.

"Like Phil, Steve is a good leader and always prepares thoroughly for all his matches at club and international level and I'm looking forward to working with him," the Leicester and British and Irish Lions great added.

"I won't be giving Steve a specific amount of time in the job. I just want to support him as much as possible and I know he will enjoy all the responsibility and work that comes with being captain of England."

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