Mad Dog Moody captain

that there is a core group of leadership there. We could have chosen two or three guys.

"Lewis was a little bit surprised but he was happy to come and do it.

"The guys just want to play well and be successful. The good thing is there are no egos. Steve has no ego about being captain. It is all about the team and trying to win.

"If I thought anyone wanted to be captain for the wrong reasons, they wouldn't be captain. We thought he (Moody) was a good call for this week."

Deacon was one of England's better performers at Murrayfield last weekend and Johnson had no hesitation in promoting the Leicester lock back into the start line-up.

"Whenever you lose your captain and a big influence on the team and on the line-out, it is a blow, but it was a harsh call leaving Lewis on the bench in the first place," he said.

Johnson would not confirm the exact nature of Borthwick's injury and it will not be until next week that anyone can be clear how bad the damage is to the knee.

"It is one of those things which could be a long-term thing or it could be over very quickly," said Johnson.

"It is frustrating for him that he is missing the game and he can't get a black and white (decision) but that's the human body."

England left for Paris on Friday with Leeds flanker Hendre Fourie, Bath winger Matt Banahan and Bath prop David Flatman as back-up.

London Irish flanker Steffon Armitage had been due to travel but withdrew with a shoulder problem.