09 February 2010 - 20H19  

Borthwick misses England training
England rugby Captain Steve Borthwick, seen here in January 2010, sat out the squad's training session on Tuesday because of illness but the lock is expected to be fit in time to lead the side in Sunday's Six Nations match away to Italy.
England rugby Captain Steve Borthwick, seen here in January 2010, sat out the squad's training session on Tuesday because of illness but the lock is expected to be fit in time to lead the side in Sunday's Six Nations match away to Italy.

AFP - England captain Steve Borthwick sat out the squad's training session on Tuesday because of illness but the lock is expected to be fit in time to lead the side in Sunday's Six Nations match away to Italy.

Meanwhile New Zealand born centre Riki Flutey is in contention for this weekend's international in Rome after being ruled out of England's tournament-opening 30-17 win against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

Flutey withdrew with a dead leg suffered in training.

But fellow New Zealand born centre Shontayne Hape, a former Kiwi rugby league international who was forced out of his bench place on the morning of the Wales match with a bug, was one of several squad players released on Tuesday along with Leicester midfielder Danny Hipkiss.

England manager Martin Johnson is due to name his team to play Italy on Wednesday.

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