Borthwick 'determined' to make cut

Head coach Brian Ashton has started the process of cutting names from World Cup contention, with Olly Morgan, Fraser Waters, Shane Geraghty, Louis Deacon, Andy Hazell and Magnus Lund the first batch to be cut adrift.

And second-row forward Borthwick, out of the England scene since last year's RBS 6 Nations, desperately wants to be in the mix, saying: "I am determined to make it, and I believe I am in the best physical condition I've ever been in. I am confident I can mix it with the best in the world in terms of my skill levels, and I am in great nick."

He added: "In 2003, the (England) team was pretty much written in. There weren't that many places to be decided, whereas there is a different situation this time around."

Another 10 players will be removed from the World Cup shortlist - some, possibly next week - as Ashton builds towards revealing the 30 players entrusted with making England's Webb Ellis Trophy defence in France during September and October.

England will fine-tune their World Cup preparations by facing Wales and France (twice) on successive weekends next month, and Borthwick added: "I am just hoping that Brian gives me a chance in these August games. I missed out in our big success in 2003, so this World Cup is huge for me."

Sale Sharks flanker Lund, who has won 10 caps, is the most surprising of Ashton's early casualties. The 24-year-old appeared in all of England's Six Nations games last season, starting against Scotland, Italy and Ireland, but he has now fallen at the first hurdle.

And full-back Morgan, capped twice during the Six Nations before undergoing shoulder surgery, can also consider himself unlucky. His absence though, possibly raises the prospect of Wasps starlet Danny Cipriani starting at number 15 during England's World Cup warm-up Test schedule.

Ashton said: "It has been a very difficult decision to let the six players go. They have all worked hard in training, and it has been good working with them.

"I have taken the decision to reduce the squad now because I've had a good look at everybody in the training camp, and it is important that we spend more time giving consideration to those who will make the 22 for the first of our warm-up games against Wales on August 4, France on August 11 and the World Cup squad to be announced on August 14."