Eddie Jones has warned France to expect another "war" when England launch their RBS 6 Nations title defence at Twickenham tomorrow.

Jones has tapped into the history between the countries based around their 20 conflicts dating back to 1213 as his Grand Slam champions target a record 15th successive Test victory.

"It's always a historic game, certainly there is history between France and England," he said.

"We've got one staff member who is into history – (defence coach) Paul Gustard.

"There's been 20 wars between England and France. That's a lot of rivalry there. There is another one happening on Saturday.

"We are going to face a side that's desperate for success. They are under pressure to play with French flair.

"Their coach has been talking about that, they want to play like that, and that puts a certain pressure on them.

"It's really important that we're in the game right from the start and that's in the head. We have to front up, do the business.

"It's like going down the coal mine every day. We've just got to do the business, and our players will."

While Jones knows the competition heading into the 103rd meeting between the rivals will be fierce, he insists it is a steely sense of professionalism rather than emotion that should drive them on

"I don't try to pretend to be English to the players. I'm their coach. I coach them to play rugby," the Australian said.

"I coach them to be emotionally right for the game and if we need that 'let's get stuck into the French' type situation' I'll leave it to the assistant coaches to do it.

"I don't think we need that. If we need that then there's something wrong. I don't believe teams are motivated by that.

"You hear stories about speeches like that when a team wins but generally speaking, teams want to play well not because they dislike the opposition or because there's a tradition to the rivalry."

Meanwhile, George Kruis's fitness continues to be shrouded in uncertainty after it was revealed the England lock is to seek a second opinion over his knee injury.

Kruis sustained ligament damage during Tuesday's training session at the squad's Surrey base, ruling him out of at least the RBS 6 Nations opener against France.

England still retain hope that their main line-out caller will play some role in the Championship, but having seen one specialist for a diagnosis he must consult another.

"George will have some more assessments. We are hoping we'll know more in the next two or three days," scrum coach Neal Hatley said.

"We'll probably know a lot more after the assessment. We haven't given up on having him involved at some stage during the latter part of the Six Nations.

"We want to see what the options are moving forward. It will be the best outcome for the player, what George needs to get George right and back playing.

"The Lions or anything like that are of no significance really for us, it will be more about what George needs and what's good for George personally to make sure he's fit for the rest of the season."

Joe Launchbury replaces Kruis in England's starting XV for France's visit to Twickenham on Saturday, reprising the second row partnership with Courtney Lawes that played against South Africa and Fiji last autumn.

Saracens lock Maro Itoje, who sat out the November series with a hand problem, will be making his first international appearance in the back row in place of Chris Robshaw.

Robshaw will miss the entire Championship because of shoulder surgery and, while Itoje lacks his work-rate, he is more explosive around the pitch.

"Maro brings so much energy to the side and has played blindside flanker before - we used him there in Australia, so it's not like he's new to the position," Hatley said.

"He walked through things with (defence coach) Paul Gustard this week and if you have watched Maro at any level he brings ridiculous enthusiasm to the team and we can't wait to see him there.

"He has heaps of potential and if you have a player with the mindset to get better every day then the world's his oyster."