'Sky's the limit' for England as Borthwick begins to plot All Blacks' downfall

The Red Roses ended their tournament positively, despite an agonising late defeat to France in Lyon on Saturday.

They struggled to find their rhythm in the Six Nations early on, narrowly defeating Italy and Wales before succumbing to Scotland in an error-strewn display.

However, a hugely impressive victory over Ireland, followed by another excellent effort in a losing cause against Les Bleus, suggests that England are heading in the right direction.

Borthwick has a daunting task ahead of him, though, as he seeks to prepare his side for a trip to Japan and New Zealand later this year.

The Brave Blossoms are first-up in June before they take on the All Blacks in a two-Test series in July.

"I've got to go and put plans in place for where we are going to be and how we will do it, so that we prepare properly," the head coach said.

"I did Japan just before the start of the Six Nations, with a visit there, and then (S&C guru) Aled (Walters) is going to Japan as well, after New Zealand.

"In a week's time we will understand exactly where we are going with our training programmes, our locations, our venues, so we give the team the best opportunity to get the result we want.

"I'll be taking the very best players that are available for selection at that point in time."

Borthwick is famed for leaving no stone unturned and that's what he is doing by going on his scouting mission to New Zealand.

According to the experienced Danny Care, the trip to the southern hemisphere "says it all" as the scrum-half predicts a bright future under the head coach.

"That sums him up. He is always wanting to get better. That's one of his big phrases, he hates looking back, he is always looking forward. Straight after the game he is thinking how can we improve, how can we get better," Care told reporters.

"All I will say about Steve is that he is the man. He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with. His attention to detail, how honest he is, how much you trust him and he is the one to take this team where it is going to go. The sky's the limit.

"I've got no doubt that this team is going to hit some massive heights and I think you've seen big signs of that. Not many teams in the world will be able to live with that [attacking intensity], matched with the defensive physicality which I think has gone to another level."