Rugby: Brad Shields released, named for England tour to South Africa

  • 10/05/2018
Brad Shields
Hurricanes captain Brad Shields. Photo credit: Getty

As expected, Hurricanes captain Brad Shields has been named in a 34-man England rugby squad to tour South Africa for three tests next month.

Shields is one of eight new players on the roster, although former Wellington teammate Jason Woodward and Blues first-five Piers Francis were not among them.

Earlier Thursday, New Zealand Rugby begrudgingly granted permission for England to select Shields, who will take up a contract with Wasps in the Aviva Premiership later this year.

"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 NZR head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum.

"We are releasing Brad with our best wishes and we hope to see him achieve his goal of playing international rugby in June."

That hope seems likely to come to fruition, with Shields named alongside news caps Nathan Earle, Ben Earl, Jonny Hill, Dan Robson, Ben Spencer, Cameron Redpath and Jack Willis.

With captain Dylan Hartley sidelined through concussion, Owen Farrell will lead the side.

But Woodward and Francis have been named in an England training squad to prepare for the tour.

The full England squad is:

Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Inside backs, Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Brad Shields (Hurricanes/ Wasps), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Willis (Wasps), Mark Wilson (Newcastle)

Newshub.