England coach Eddie Jones has defended the controversial selection of Hurricanes captain Brad Shields, after the Kiwi was picked for England's tour South Africa next month.
Shields was given the green light to play for England by New Zealand Rugby, who begrudgingly granted permission. Shields will take up a contract with Wasps in the Aviva Premiership later this year.
Jones doesn't care what others make of the decision.
"My responsibility is to pick England qualified players - I don't decide the regulations," Jones said.
"Brad Shields is a good hard working player who plays for the best team in the Southern Hemisphere.
"He is a considerable influence in that team. A hard-working, gritty player and a good back up to Chris Robshaw."
NZR head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said he was disappointed n the decision.
"We are extremely disappointed that the RFU chose to take this unusual step in seeking this release, given that Brad has not yet played rugby in England," said "We are releasing Brad with our best wishes, and we hope to see him achieve his goal of playing international rugby in June," Lendrum said.
The UK Media have also questioned the decision.
Will Kelleher of the Daily Mail suggests the 27-year-old will be in for a huge shock playing test rugby.
"Like Blues Player Piers Francis did last summer Shields will just fly straight from New Zealand to South Africa to join up with England before the tour in early June," Kelleher wrote.
"He will not come to England first or attend the national squad's pre-tour Brighton training camp. He is unlikely to feature in the first test - as he will not be up to speed - but could well play in the next two.
"He has never played test rugby - which is worlds away from Super Rugby - so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to a tighter game."
Robert Kitson of the Guardian thinks Shields will struggle to adapt quickly and play alongside players whom he does not know.
"Is it reasonable, even so, to expect him to vault straight out of Super Rugby into the first test at Ellis Park without breaking stride, having barely met his team-mates? Good luck to him if he does," wrote Robert Kitson in The Guardian.
"While it feels unsatisfactory to be picking a player who has never played a game of rugby in England ahead of those who have slogged their way through an entire Premiership season, Jones clearly feels his depleted pack needs all the imported oomph it can get in South Africa.
"With 20 players unavailable for the trip either through injury or because they are being rested and Billy Vunipola still feeling his way back for Saracens, there are a limited number of experienced ball-carrying back-rowers still standing, and the 27-year-old Shields unquestionably fits the bill on that front."
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