Six Nations: George Kruis says favouritism will not affect selection

George Kruis has helped Saracens to the top of the Premiership table this season

Saracens second row George Kruis does not want "favouritism" to be a factor if he is selected by England for their Six Nations campaign.

The 25-year-old was nurtured by Steve Borthwick when the recently appointed Red Rose forwards coach was captain at the Premiership club.

Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall has described Kruis as a "shoo-in" for the opener in Scotland on 6 February.

"If I do get selected it would be off my own back," said Kruis.

"Steve was a mentor for me definitely. When you play for five years alongside a player like that you learn a few things off him. But he is another coach and that is the way it is.

"There will be no favouritism and I would not want it to be like that."

Kruis has already won 10 caps, the last coming against Uruguay at the World Cup in September.

The 6ft 6in-player was named man-of-the-match in Saracens' 26-6 victory over Leicester on Saturday - a match watched by Borthwick.