Brad Shields set to be included in England's squad for South Africa tour in June

  • 19/04/2018

Hurricanes captain Brad Shields is set to be a surprise inclusion in England's squad for their mid-year tests against the Springboks in June.

Shields, who will join the Wasps at the end of the Super Rugby season, is eligible for selection through his parents, but wasn't expected to selected for the series given their refusal to pick overseas-based players.

The Guardian reports coach Eddie Jones has been given the green light to select the loose-forward, and has received the blessing of his superiors in wake of their growing injury toll.

With all three matches falling in the official international test window, the Hurricanes would be obliged to release Shields.

It would also mean he would have to return to the Hurricanes after the series for their final three regular games, which could rise, should they make the finals.

Earlier in the year, Shields expressed his desire to play international rugby, and admitted to be frustrated with never receiving an All Blacks cap.

"Like any team you want to make it, and if you don't make it you go back and think, 'Well what am I doing wrong, what could I do better?" he told Newshub.

"Yeah it was really frustrating, and I'm not going to hide from that."

"The opportunity is there to play international rugby and that's my goal, to take that next step."

"It'd feel a little bit different and quite odd I suppose…if I ever make it there I'll have to tell you."

Newshub.