Brad Shields has been fast-tracked into England’s matchday squad for the opening Test against South Africa on Saturday.
The uncapped Kiwi, who is to join Wasps once his Super Rugby commitments are complete next month, is named on the bench as the replacement lock despite only joining up with Eddie Jones’ men for the first time on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Hurricanes captain and blindside flanker missed training on Monday due to jet leg having made the 7,655-mile journey from Wellington to Durban.
Joe Launchbury has failed a fitness test on his calf injury so Nick Isiekwe partners Maro Itoje in the second row, making his first Test start having won two caps as a replacement in Argentina 12 months ago.
