By PAUL REES

PREVIEW...England A vs Portugal (Today. Kick-off 1pm, Welford Road)

Steve Borthwick left Edinburgh after England’s clash against Scotland last night and set off for the Midlands to ensure he makes it in good time for the A side’s lunchtime encounter with Portugal at Welford Road.
His midnight mission shows the importance Borthwick places on the first A fixture for eight years. The England head coach’s vision is for an alignment of the professional game in the country from age-groups upwards to the Premiership, the A team and the senior national side.
“Steve had the overal...