Brad Shields is poised to make his first start for England in the second Test against South Africa on Saturday after Joe Launchbury was again forced to miss training because of a calf injury.
Shields, the New Zealand-born forward, who joined the squad for the first time only last week, has not started a match in the second row for more than four years for his Super Rugby side, the Hurricanes.
However, the 27-year-old, who made his debut in the first Test defeat as a first-half replacement for Nick Isiekwe – who was withdrawn for tactical reasons as England let a 21-point lead slip – is now in line for a starting place if Launchbury is ruled out.
Luke Cowan-Dickie has been cleared to play...