Itoje to miss matches against France and Wales

Maro Itoje is set to miss Six Nations matches against France and Wales due to a knee injury he sustained last weekend.

Itoje suffered medial ligament damage in Saturday's 32-20 victory over Ireland in Dublin with a scan revealing a grade two tear that prevents him from playing in the next two rounds.

"Maro Itoje is expected to be available towards the end of the tournament," a Rugby Football Union statement read.

Itoje's Saracens team-mate Nick Isiekwe has been called into England's 35-man training squad assembled to begin preparations for Sunday's visit of France to Twickenham.

He will remain at the squad's Surrey training base to continue his rehabilitation and could be involved in the last two games of the Championship against Italy and Scotland.