Borthwick bats off Janse van Rensburg selection criticism

BAGSHOT, England, May 19 : England coach Steve Borthwick has predictably swatted away criticism of the selection of Benhard Janse van Rensburg in his latest England squad as the South African Bristol centre becomes eligible through residency.

Janse van Rensburg, 29, was initially ruled to have been "captured" by a brief appearance off the bench for South Africa's under-20s in 2016 but the RFU successfully appealed to World Rugby.

He will now become eligible on July 8, after five years in the country, missing England's opening Nations Championship game against the Springboks on July 4 but available to face Fiji and Argentina in the next two weeks.

His call-up, along with the dropping of Bath centres Max Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence, was attacked by former England scrumhalf Danny Care.

"It doesn't sit right with me," Care told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast. "His dream was to play for the Springboks but because he's qualified over here he's now 'yeah, I'll play for England'. I feel it would mean more to Ojomoh or Lawrence to wear that shirt and represent that country."

Speaking to journalists at England's training base in Surrey on Tuesday, Borthwick said that he did not pay attention to such criticism.

"I pick the players I want to pick," he said. "I consult with my coaches and make my decision. World Rugby rules are very clear about when players become eligible."

With England continually struggling to nail down a settled midfield, Borthwick explained why he decided to draft Janse van Rensburg in.

  "He has an ability to 12 and 13," he said. "I always analysed (his former club) London Irish and he was one of the key players we had to prepare for. When you're an opposition head coach and spend that much time and attention