England coach Eddie Jones is backing Maro Itoje to fill Chris Robshaw’s shoes and make a big impression against France in today’s Six Nations opener at Twickenham.

Itoje switches from second row to make his first start at blindside flanker in the absence of Robshaw, who has played a key role in England’s run of 14 unbeaten matches since Jones took charge and is sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Jones has no doubts that Itoje will make the switch a success as England begin their title defence against Guy Noves’s improving side.

Itoje “has got big shoes to fill,” said Jones. “Chris Robshaw has been one of our integral players in the team with his work rate but Maro has trained well in that position and we believe he can make a really good fist of it.

“He brings his lineout skills. He will give us a third jumper in the line which will make Steve Borthwick happy.”

England will be without George Kruis, ruled out of the France match on Wednesday by a knee injury sustained in training.

“George is with the surgeon now and we should get more information on him this afternoon,” said Jones. “We haven’t given up hope of him featuring in the Six Nations.”

Kruis’s absence and Itoje’s move to the back row to play alongside Nathan Hughes and Tom Wood means Joe Launchbury is reinstated to the second row alongside Courtney Lawes.

Jones has opted to start with Elliot Daly on the left wing ahead of Jack Nowell, who missed Tuesday’s training sessions for personal reasons and was only back in the England camp yesterday.

Nowell starts on the bench with Daly, sent off for tackling Leonardo Senatore in the air in the autumn international against Argentina, getting the nod ahead of him.

England will register a national record 15th successive victory if they dispatch France and will surpass New Zealand’s milestone of 19 Test wins if they repeat last year’s Grand Slam.