Borthwick leaves the field clutching his eye against Gloucester

England captain Steve Borthwick feared he had lost sight in his right eye after being kicked in the face by Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam.

Azam will appeal on Tuesday against a 12-week ban he was given over the 27 September incident.

Borthwick was cleared of serious injury after a "nervous" wait while tests for a fractured eye socket took place.

He explained: "I was very alarmed. The eye swelled shut immediately so I couldn't see anything and it was numb."

The 30-year-old Saracens player spent the night in Moorfields Eye Hospital before being told scans had revealed no more than "extreme swelling".

Borthwick added: "They said the eyeball itself was healthy but they had surgery booked for the next day because they were 95% certain I had a fracture.

"Thankfully the next morning when they did more tests they said there was no fracture and that the eye just needed to heal.

"It took several days to open up but I have got my vision back and as a rugby player I am desperate to play rugby so I am really looking forward to getting back involved."

Borthwick still needed five stitches and his eye is still bloodshot but he is set to return to action against Toulon in the Challenge Cup on Thursday.

He also hopes to be available for England's November internationals, adding: "I am good to go. It has healed really well."

Azam's appeal will be held by a three-man panel on Tuesday.

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