Saracens have backed lock Maro Itoje to make a success of playing openside flanker were Eddie Jones to go down that route as a way of solving England’s crisis in the No 7 position.

Two contenders, Wasps’ Sam Jones (broken leg) and Leicester’s Mike Williams (broken arm), have been ruled out over the past eight days, adding to a list headed by incumbent James Haskell (toe) with Harlequins’ Jack Clifford (ankle) also out of consideration.

Itoje has never played at openside and although he has given it little thought as he focuses on his club’s opening European Champions Cup game against Toulon on Saturday, he takes talk of such a switch in his stride.