England insist Dylan Hartley will be fit to face France in Paris on Saturday despite missing training on Tuesday afternoon but Joe Marler’s involvement in the Grand Slam match is in doubt despite being named in Eddie Jones’s 26-man squad last night.

Tommy Taylor of Sale Sharks has also been included as a third hooker but it is understood that has no bearing on Hartley’s position as the England captain was rested given his high number of minutes on the pitch in the four RBS Six Nations victories.

Marler is due to appear before a Six Nations disciplinary hearing on Wednesday after being cited for striking Wales prop Rob Evans with his forearm while the investigation into his verbal abuse of Samson Lee continues into a fourth day.