Maro Itoje is to make his first start in the back row for England for the Six Nations opener against France at Twickenham on Saturday, with head coach Eddie Jones is poised to ask the Saracens forward to deputise for former captain Chris Robshaw at blindside flanker.

Itoje has started several high-profile matches for his club at No 6 but the game against France will be the first time he has been selected on the flank on the international stage, underscoring his remarkable versatility.

The shoulder injury to Robshaw, who is expected to miss the entire championship, has forced Jones’s hand but the decision to experiment with Itoje in the back row has been one that the Australian has been contemplating since the tour of Australia last June.

Jones came close to start Itoje in the back row for the opening Test victory against the Wallabies in Brisbane before a late change of heart saw the 22 year-old revert to the second row, where he has started all seven of his England caps.

Itoje is expected to join Northampton flanker Tom Wood and Wasps No 8 Nathan Hughes in a new-look back row, with James Haskell also set to be included on the bench for the first time since picking up a toe injury during England’s second Test victory against Australia in Melbournelast June.