Steve Borthwick insists England captain Dylan Hartley is fit to face France

Steve Borthwick insists England captain Dylan Hartley is fit for Saturday's Grand Slam collision with France in Paris.

Hartley sat out Tuesday afternoon's training session, raising concerns he could be at risk of the missing the final assignment of the RBS 6 Nations for the newly-crowned champions.

Adding to suspicions the Northampton front row was carrying an injury was the decision to name Sale's Tommy Taylor - also a hooker - as travelling reserve.

The only previous time a third hooker was kept at the squad's Surrey training base was in the build up to Saturday's 25-21 victory over Wales after Jamie George had been struck by a biceps injury. George was then ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations.

But forwards coach Borthwick is adamant Hartley will be at the helm as England seek to complete their first Grand Slam since 2003.

"Dylan's fine. He trained in the morning but was rested for the afternoon session," Borthwick said.

"But he's fine. He's not carrying an injury, he's good. It was a case of monitoring loads and he was rested for the afternoon session.

"For away games we take travelling reserves and we're taking Tommy for this one. He's going as a travelling reserve, nothing more than that."