Steve Borthwick says he wants as many England players as possible to tour with the British and Irish Lions in Australia this summer. The Guinness Six Nations runners-up look set for double-figure representation in the Lions squad that will be announced on May 8.

Steve Borthwick backed England captain Maro Itoje to lead the British and Irish Lions in Australia after his side ended their Six Nations campaign with a 68-14 hammering of Wales. Farrell is due to name his squad on May 8,

Steve Borthwick had been clear about how he wanted England to play in Cardiff. The fate of the Six Nations title may have been out of their hands, but what wasn’t was how England approached a Wales team struggling after 16 defeats on the spin.

Steve Borthwick believes part of his responsibility as England head coach is getting as many players as possible selected for the Lions this summer; Watch every game of the 2025 British and Irish Lion

Steve Borthwick's England completed their Six Nations campaign in style with a number of players impressing during a dominant win against Wales

And Sale’s Asher Opoko-Fordjour, who has just one cap but is with the squad as travelling reserve, would be put on the bench. England scrum coach Tom Harrison said: “He's still here. His wife is due but we've got plans in place to cover that if he needs to shoot off. So, we're all ready for that.”

Steve Borthwick hailed the growth of his England team after a record Six Nations romp against Wales took the Guinness Six Nations title race to its final game. England demolished Wales 68-14 in Cardiff as a 10-try spectacular ensured title favourites France could not afford any slip up in their final fixture against Scotland.