England coach Eddie Jones picks Maro Itoje at flanker for Six Nations opener
MARO ITOJE will start at flanker for England against France on Saturday when Eddie Jones' side begin their Six Nations defence.
Maro Itoje has switched to flanker for England
Injuries to Billy Vunipola and Chris Robshaw have left Eddie Jones' ranks in the back row depleted.
Teimana Harrison had been suggested as a potential replacement but England have instead switch 2016 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Itoje from second row to flanker.
Elliot Daly has kept his place for England despite a red card on his last outing
It means Courtney Lawes will partner Joe Launchbury at lock while James Haskell, who has not played for England since toe surgery last summer, returns to the bench.
Elliot Daly meanwhile has kept his place despite having been sent off five minutes into his last appearance against Argentina during the autumn internationals.
However, Jones has kept faith in the Wasps winger who will win his ninth cap on Saturday.
Daly was picked on the left wing ahead of Jack Nowell, who is on the bench, with Jonny May on the right.
James Haskell has been recovering from an injury sustained in Australia last summer
England XV: Brown, May, Joseph, Farrell, Daly, Ford, Youngs, Marler, Hartley, Cole, Launchbury, Lawes, Itoje, Wood, Hughes.
Replacements: George, Mullan, Sinckler, Harrison, Haskell, Care, Te'o, Nowell.