England's Itoje set for flanker role against France

By Mitch Phillips LONDON (Reuters) - Maro Itoje looks set to step into England's blindside flanker void after being named on Tuesday alongside three locks in a 25-man squad for their Six Nations opener against France at Twickenham on Saturday. With Chris Robshaw missing the entire tournament with a shoulder injury, lock Itoje was widely tipped to take the number six shirt. Itoje, who missed the autumn internationals with a broken hand, has played in the back row for Saracens and England previously, notably moving to the position during last summer's final test in the 3-0 series win over Australia. England coach Eddie Jones had been planning to pair George Kruis and Joe Launchbury in the second row but Kruis, hoping to return to action after a layoff with a fractured cheekbone, suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss training on Tuesday and he will undergo further assessment on Wednesday. Courtney Lawes is named in the squad and ready to step into the starting side if Kruis fails to recover. Another long-term injury absentee, flanker James Haskell, is also in the squad and expected to be named among the replacements as Tom Wood starts at openside and Nathan Hughes at number eight. Prop Joe Marler has also made a remarkable recovery from the broken leg he suffered three weeks ago and is set to start With Anthony Watson ruled out by a hamstring injury, Jonny May and Jack Nowell are the likely starting wings. Defending champions England are seeking a 15th successive victory - extending the national record the current team share with Clive Woodward's side from 2002-2003. England squad Forwards Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers) Jamie George (Saracens) Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints) Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) James Haskell (Wasps) Nathan Hughes (Wasps) Maro Itoje (Saracens) George Kruis (Saracens) Joe Launchbury (Wasps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Joe Marler (Harlequins) Matt Mullan (Wasps) Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) Tom Wood (Northampton Saints) Backs Mike Brown (Harlequins) Danny Care (Harlequins) Elliot Daly (Wasps) Owen Farrell (Saracens) George Ford (Bath Rugby) Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby) Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby) Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) (Editing by Ken Ferris)