The England team for France Six Nations opener as Eddie Jones springs a surprise

England have named a debutant for the difficult trip to Paris on the opening weekend of the Six Nations

England have named their team to play France in the Six Nations opening round on Sunday, with debutant George Furbank thrust into the starting XV.

The Northampton full-back is a surprise selection, with Eddie Jones forced to make a big call after injury to Lions star Anthony Watson.

The 23-year-old's inclusion means Elliot Daly shifts from full-back to wing, with Jonny May on the other flank.

Mako Vunipola is missing from the matchday 23 completely despite England stating on Wednesday that he was forced to miss that day's training session with an eye injury as a precautionary measure only.

Joe Marler starts at loosehead prop in his absence as one of three changes in personnel to the side toppled 32-12 by the Springboks in Yokohama last autumn.

Charlie Ewels comes into the second row and Courtney Lawes moves to blindside flanker with Tom Curry replacing broken-arm victim Billy Vunipola at number eight.

Bath prop Will Stuart is set to be the second uncapped player to make his debut at the Stade de France after being picked on the bench.

"It has been a massively exciting week for us," said Eddie Jones, whose squad have been preparing for the Six Nations in the Algarve.

"It's the start of the Six Nations, the best rugby tournament in the world. We have had a great preparation in Portugal with a quality training week this week.

"France can expect absolute brutality from England, we are going to go out there to make sure they understand what Test rugby is.

"It is about being brutal, it is about being physical and it is about dominating the set piece."

England starting XV to play France in the Guinness Six Nations at the Stade de France, Paris, on Sunday February 2:

G Furbank (Northampton), J May (Leicester), M Tuilagi (Leicester), O Farrell (Saracens, capt), E Daly (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester), J Marler (Harlequins), J George (Saracens), K Sinckler (Harlequins), M Itoje (Saracens), C Ewels (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), S Underhill (Bath), T Curry (Sale).

Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), E Genge (Leicester), W Stuart (Bath), G Kruis (Saracens), L Ludlam (Northampton), W Heinz (Gloucester), O Devoto (Exeter), J Joseph (Bath).