Canes skipper may be up against the Boks in June

● Hurricanes captain Brad Shields has asked New Zealand Rugby for permission to play for England in South Africa later this year, chief executive Steve Tew said.

The flanker is heading to English Premiership club Wasps at the end of the Super Rugby season after giving up on All Blacks selection.

Shields, 27, was born in New Zealand to British parents. He was expected to feature in England coach Eddie Jones’s plans for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but might now be called up even earlier.

England’s next test matches will be against South Africa in June.

Jones is attempting to get his team back to winning ways after an underwhelming defence of their Six Nations crown in which they lost three successive matches.

Shields has led the Hurricanes to the top of the Super Rugby standings and his physical presence would be an asset for England against the Springboks.

His contract with the Hurricanes runs until the end of the Super Rugby season in August, meaning he needs permission from New Zealand Rugby.

“We’re looking at it and considering the ramifications of releasing him to play for England in the middle of a competition that he’s committed to,” Tew said.

Shields is a widely respected figure in New Zealand — regarded by many as unlucky to miss All Blacks selection. —