Prior to the last-gasp victory over France, England had lost seven of their past nine games – the two victories coming over a lesser Japan side.
Borthwick called for patience as his side lost games late against New Zealand and Australia in November, before falling away in the final quarter in their Six Nations opener against Ireland.
England’s bench failed to provide the required punch or experience to close out the big Tests, which changed when Borthwick added his former captain Jamie George and 70-cap wing Elliot Daly to his replacements against France.
George’s pinpoint line-out throw and Daly’s match-winning try showed the value of nearly 200 caps in the closing stages – a tactic redeployed for Scotland’s visit.
Known as a stats-driven coach, Borthwick has opted to tap into the emotional side of his players to rise to an occasion which they have consistently fallen at in recent years.
“The talk coming out of the England camp was Steve Borthwick is making the players watch past Calcutta Cup games,” former Scotland captain John Barclay told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.
“That is purely emotional and nothing to do with tactics or strategy. It is an emotional thing he is trying to get out of his players.”
Four tries scored to France’s three particularly pleased Borthwick, with tactical tweaks evident to make his side play faster and with more aggression in attack.
Marcus Smith’s move to full-back offered another playmaker, instead of Freddie Steward’s high-ball solidity, while Fin Smith proved a trusty pair of hands to steer the team from fly-half.
“England are not as physical as teams of old so have to find a different way to play,” former England winger Chris Ashton told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Now that Borthwick’s side have got over the line against one of the world’s best, the next step of growth is to back it up and wipe any suggestions that France’s inability to take three clear-cut try-scoring opportunities was the reason for victory.
In the Six Nations, Scotland remain the only side Borthwick has failed to defeat as a head coach, and given momentum is behind his side there may no better time to complete the set.
“We don’t want to be a team that every once in a while wins, or when people write us off we win a game,” England captain Maro Itoje told BBC Sport.
“We believe we are a talented and good team that wants to win on a regular basis.”
