MARO ITOJE has conceded defeat in his battle to be fit for the climax to England’s Six Nations against Scotland on Saturday.

Itoje last week suffered a setback in his recovery from the knee injury sustained against Ireland on the opening weekend of the tournament and has now been omitted from a 31-man training squad named for the final-round fixture at Twickenham.

“Maro’s a class player, but his health comes first and that’s the most important thing,” said defence coach John Mitchell, who was unable to provide a date for his return.