Borthwick claims players were not fit enough for Tests after South Africa loss

Steve Borthwick said ‘the condition of the players wasn’t quite where it needed to be for Test match rugby’ before the start of the Autumn Nations Series. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Steve Borthwick has claimed his England players were not fit enough for Test rugby when they began their autumn internationals after Saturday’s defeat by South Africa extended their dismal losing run.

In what could be construed as a tacit admission that Aled Walters’ departure has been keenly felt, Borthwick has risked the ire of Premiership clubs by stating that his players’ “condition” was not “where it needed to be” at the start of the month.