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Brad Shields to start for England against All Blacks as Eddie Jones unveils side for highly-anticipated Test

November 9, 2018

After playing for the NZ U20s Shields will line up against the All Blacks for England.

Former Hurricanes captain Brad Shields will start against the All Blacks this weekend after the England squad was announced overnight.

Eddie Jones has named his England side for this weekend's long-awaited clash with the All Blacks, saying a "gut feeling" helped him with one or two of the eyebrow-raising selections for the match.

The former Hurricanes captain looks right at home with his new team, but the lingo is still giving him grief.

Shields has fast-tracked his way into the starting line-up this year.

The 27-year-old left New Zealand Rugby earlier this year to link up with Wasps in the hopes of playing international rugby after getting overlooked by All Blacks selectors for years.

Through parentage, Jones is able to pick Shields to face off against many of his former teammates.

England’s newest loosie was “knocking on the door” for the black jersey, Foster says.

Jones is also putting his faith in Sale winger Chris Ashton who will earn his first start in four years at Twickenham on Sunday after returning to the England fold last week in a cameo appearance off the bench in the 12-11 win over South Africa.

"I think playing against New Zealand suits him - it's just a gut feeling. He can sniff a try," Jones told BBC Radio 5 live.

"He's great at running inside support lines, and maybe there might be a few opportunities there."

Read more: All Blacks stick with SBW, Goodhue and McKenzie for long-awaited clash with England

The 31-year-old has earned 40 international caps in his career, although it has been interrupted by suspensions, falling out of favor with successive England coaches and a season in French rugby at Toulon.

However, Jones feels Ashton could make a difference on Sunday morning.

"I've always rated him very highly and always felt he had something to offer," Jones added.

"But probably having worked with him now I appreciate what he can bring to the team - he's quite a character.

"Sometimes he is involved in some trouble, but we've managed to keep his nose clean for the time being, so fingers crossed."

Ashton replaces Jack Nowell who heads to the bench while the other changes see Ben Moon come in for Alec Hepburn at loosehead prop and Sam Underhill replace the injured Tom Curry at openside flanker.

Courtney Lawes returns to the reserves after overcoming a lower back problem.

England: Elliot Daly, Chris Ashton, Henry Slade, Ben Te'o, Jonny May, Owen Farrell (co-captain), Ben Youngs, Mark Wilson, Sam Underhill, Brad Shields, George Kruis, Maro Itoje, Kyle Sinckler, Dylan Hartley, Ben Moon

Replacements: Jamie George, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Charlie Ewels, Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell.

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