Shields cleared for England

Brad Shields could play for England against the Springboks in June while still being on the Hurricanes’ books.

The strange situation has been given the green light by England rugby bosses.

The Telegraph reports that the RFU’s agreement with Premiership Rugby precludes the selection of overseas based players. However, as Shields is joining Wasps next season, England coach Eddie Jones will be permitted to pick the 27-yearold flanker if he wants.

There has already been a precedent set with another Kiwi link. Northampton centre Piers Francis, then playing for the Blues in Super Rugby, was selected for England’s tour of Argentina in June last year.

Shields qualifies for England through his parents and there seems to be an urgency to fast-track him into their system with next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan beckoning.

There’s also a November clash between the All Blacks and England at Twickenham where Shields may have a point or two to prove given his ongoing snub by New Zealand’s national team despite impressive form with both the Hurricanes and Wellington.

The prospect of him playing in the three-test series against the Boks in June appears very real.

The Telegraph reports Jones has hinted he may rest some players who were involved in last year’s Lions tour and with the likes of Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes on a lengthening injury list, Shields would bolster England’s back-row options.

Shields would then return to play for the Hurricanes to see out the Super Rugby season before heading north to finally link with glamour club Wasps.

It’s hard to see the Canes standing in Shields’ way given his impending departure and an opportunity to make an early impression on Jones.

England need to make some progress in South Africa on the back of their poor Six Nations form where they plummeted from champion status to No 5, beaten by Scotland, France and Ireland.

Their loose forward play was heavily criticised during that campaign.