Ellis Genge will be skipper against Six Nations champions France at Twickenham tomorrow with Farrell sent to the bench to make way for Marcus Smith at fly-half.
That is the only change from the team that beat Wales 20-10 a fortnight ago but Borthwick has made it clear 31-year-old Farrell, who has 104 England caps, remains a key part of his plans in World Cup year.
‘I’ve said that Owen will captain the team when he comes onto the pitch,’ said Borthwick.
‘I can’t praise him enough. Not just for this week, but every day since we started working together in this capacity.
‘He’s been incredible at helping all the players and he cares so much about this team. He has incredible respect from everyone. Marcus will be on the field at the start of the game and Owen will be on the field at the end of the game.
‘That’s what I feel is the right blend against this opponent.’
Having been released from Borthwick’s training squad last week to get game time, 24-year-old Smith played a starring role in Harlequins’ 40-5 romp over Exeter. His goalkicking was excellent too, with five successful conversions out of six, but Borthwick stressed that – and Farrell’s own struggles with the boot so far in this Six Nations tournament – were not the only factor.
‘I consider every aspect and I try to do this job as thoroughly as possible,’ he added.
‘Owen has been kicking brilliantly in training this week, as has Marcus. There are wider aspects to be considered within this game and gameplan, not simply the goalkicking.
‘I’ve tried to pick the right team for that game, I don’t consider how it will be perceived by the outside.
‘Having players of such ability and talent to select from is a real privilege for me.
‘I’m constantly watching the players in every game they play. Marcus played and trained really well.’
Genge leads England for the first time while winning his 47th cap and Borthwick said: ‘Ellis is a fantastic leader, a natural leader and he’s somebody the players follow.’
England squad
F Steward; M Malins, H Slade, O Lawrence, A Watson; M Smith, J van Poortvliet; E Genge (capt), J George, K Sinckler, M Itoje, O Chessum, L Ludlam, J Willis, A Dombrandt.
Replacements: J Walker, M Vunipola, D Cole, D Ribbans, B Curry, A Mitchell, O Farrell, H Arundell.
MORE : Last two stages of Six Nations to test England after Borthwick’s ‘rebuild,’ Ellis Genge says
MORE : ‘Destructive’ Ollie Lawrence is Owen Farrell’s driving force
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