Shields primed for first England start
Brad Shields is poised to make his first start for England in the second Test against South Africa on Saturday after Joe Launchbury was again forced to miss training because of a calf injury.
Shields, the New Zealand-born forward, who joined the squad for the first time only last week, has not started a match in the second row for more than four years for his Super Rugby side, the Hurricanes.
However, the 27-year-old, who made his debut in the first Test defeat as a first-half replacement for Nick Isiekwe – who was withdrawn as England let a 21-point lead slip – is now in line for a starting place if Launchbury is ruled out. Luke Cowan-dickie has been cleared to play after a hamstring niggle as a second-half replacement.
Neal Hatley, England’s forwards coach, said that Shields, who has trained as a second row since joining the squad, was ready to start.
“If it comes down to that [he could start]. He got close to 45 minutes in the second row [in the first Test] anyway,” said Hatley.
England have not yet given up hope that Launchbury, who trained on his own yesterday, will be fit but, having not yet been able to take part in a full session since arriving in South Africa, time appears to be running out. Hatley added: “Joe was moving reasonably well this morning, so we’ll see where he is later in the week.” If Launchbury is ruled out, it is likely that Isiekwe, who was consoled by his team-mates following his substitution after just 36 minutes, will retain his place.
Eddie Jones, the England head coach, showed a similarly ruthless streak in substituting Luther Burrell and Teimana Harrison in the first half during the series victory over Australia in 2016. Both have since dropped out of consideration, but Hatley insisted that Isiekwe retained their backing.
“If we are going to progress with Nick, we need to support him,” said Hatley.
Meanwhile, wing Jonny May has revealed that captain Owen Farrell chaired a team meeting about their disciplinary woes after 17 infringements against South Africa. “In the Six Nations it [discipline] killed us and it was as bad as ever at the weekend,” said May.