SOUTH AFRICA v ENGLAND: 1ST TEST BRAD ALL OVER

Former junior All Black Shields in Jones’ first Test squad despite never playing in England

BRAD SHIELDS will make his controversial England debut tomorrow – having only met his teammates for the first time on Sunday. The Kiwi-born flanker has yet to play club rugby in England and did not even pass through his adopted country en route from New Zealand to South Africa.

Yet, after just two days’ training, Eddie Jones has fasttracked the 27-year-old into his matchday squad for the vital series opener with the Springboks at Ellis Park.

Jones insisted: “Brad has fitted in extremely well and everyone knows he is genuine about wanting to play for England.”

Shields played against George Ford, Elliot Daly, Mako Vunipola and Red Rose captain Owen Farrell for New Zealand – inflicting Junior World Cup Final heartbreak on his new team-mates back in 2011.

Now the Wasps-bound star, eligible through English parents, hopes to team up with them to win the World Cup next year.

“Brad understands that he gave it his all in New Zealand and they didn’t select him,” said Jones.

“You want players who see opportunities and want to take them.”

Jones has leaned heavily on champions Saracens in his bid to snap a three-test losing streak, selecting five of their forwards and handing Farrell the armband.

He has also turned to two of the biggest boots in the game, in full-back Daly and outside-centre Henry Slade.

In all, his line-up boasts almost 200 caps more than the Springboks, with Rassie Erasmus giving debuts to rookie pair Aphiwe Dyantyi and S’busiso Nkosi.

THE BLACK ROSE Kiwi-born Brad Shields gets ready for his England debut in training