Borthwick was eventually cleared of any serious injury but only after a “nervous” few hours as doctors carried out tests on his eyeball and eye-socket.
It was not until the morning after the incident that special-ists at Moorfields Eye Hospital were able to clear Borthwick of a fractured orbital.
Azam was suspended for 12 weeks after pleading guilty to kicking an opponent but he has lodged an appeal, which will be heard tonight.
Borthwick’s eye is still bloodshot but he is desperate to be back in action and will play for Saracens in Thursday night’s Amlin Chall-enge Cup trip to Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon.
“I am good to go. It has healed really well,” said Borthwick.
“It was a nervous time. The eye swelled shut immediately so I couldn’t see anything and it had taken a bang so it was numb and I couldn’t feel anything.
“I was very alarmed by it. I spent that night in hospital and they told me as early as possible that every-thing was okay. 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.”
