‘Shields will be picked for England in June’ - RFU Chief

RFU chief executive Steve Brown says Hurricanes flanker Brad Shields will tour tour with England in June regardless of New Zealand Rugby's protests.

Shields, who qualifies through his parents, will move to Premiership side Wasps at the completion of his Super Rugby contract, and is eligible to represent Eddie Jones' side in the Test environment.

The Hurricanes forward is set to move to Wasps at the completion of his Super Rugby contract, and is eligible to represent England in international rugby.

The Times reported that Brown is relying on World Rugby regulation nine, which states all players must be released for international matches.

“Regulation nine is clear and understood by everybody,” Brown told The Times.

“If we find ourselves in that situation we will rely on the World Rugby regulation.”

NZR chief executive Steve Tew, though, believes ‘the World Rugby regulations don’t apply per se because he’s committed himself to New Zealand’.