Former England World Cup winner Will Greenwood has no problem with Eddie Jones picking Hurricanes captain Brad Shields for the 'Red Roses' upcoming test series against the Springboks.
There's plenty of debate ahead of tonight's England squad naming to tour South Africa in June, with some critics claiming it's a desperate move to pick Shields straight out of New Zealand.
Jones is facing a selection headache with numerous players to miss the test series through injury, and with a World Cup just over a year away, he will likely rest all the players that featured in last year's British and Irish Lions.
With all that in mind, Jones is keen to fast-track the 27-year-old into the England squad.
Shields will become eligible when he moves to Wasps at the end of the season. The tough-tackling loose forward qualifies for England through his parents.
He has submitted a request to New Zealand Rugby to become eligible for the series, and it is understood that Steve Tew has approved the request.
Speaking to Newshub, Greenwood thinks Shields should be able to earn respect quickly if named in the squad.
"If you qualify and good enough, you come in, and immediately you earn your respect with what you do on the field," Greenwood told Newshub.
"We're not talking about a bit part player here, we are talking about a guy who captains the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, and he's won titles.
"It won't be easy from Brad if he rocks up in South Africa and goes around and introduce himself to players he'll have no idea about, and then a week later he's playing a test match in South Africa, but I don't think that's a challenge for him.
"He probably just wants to get an England training shirt on and introduce himself to the lads so people will stop talking about where he's come from. You are English, you have English heritage, you've qualified, you're good, and you're in the squad."
Former Hurricanes outside back Jason Woodward is expected to be selected in the squad which gets named at 8 pm on Thursday (NZ time).
Newshub.
