STEVE BORTHWICK insists England’s battle-hardened players are ready for the Six Nations as a result of facing greater club demands than any of their rivals.

Borthwick’s 36-man squad have comfortably racked up the highest number of minutes played since the World Cup due to their Premiership and European commitments.

But while they will enter the Six Nations depleted by a greater workload – they have accumulated over two hours of game time more per player than next highest, France – Borthwick believes they have benefited from the competitiveness of English clubs.