RUMOUR | Brad Shields set to depart Wasps after Premiership final

Friday, 16 October 2020 at 13:32

bySteven Smith

England and Wasps flanker Brad Shields could be leaving Wasps following the Gallagher Premiership final next weekend, according to reports.

Reports in New Zealand suggest he could return to the Southern Hemisphere, where the 29-year-old would rejoin the Hurricanes.

The influential back-rower made his Super Rugby debut for the Wellington-based franchise in 2012 reached the 100-game mark at the end of the 2017 campaign.

During his time at the Westpac Stadium, Shields played a prominent role in the Hurricanes’ 2016 Championship-winning season and a year later skippered the side against the touring British & Irish Lions.

Having made his provincial debut as a 19-year-old, Shields has also regularly represented Wellington in New Zealand’s domestic competitions and was their Player of the Season in 2016.

Shields was part of the New Zealand Under 20s side that retained the Junior IRB World Championship title in 2011, and was often spoken of as a future All Black.

However, in late 2017 he opted to switch to the Premiership with Wasps, and utilising his English nationality was immediately selected by Eddie Jones for the 2018 summer tour of South Africa where he won his first international caps.

Shields was a consistent performer in England's 2019 Six Nations campaign, scoring two tries in a win over Italy and was expected to be involved in their 2019 Rugby World Cup squad until an unfortunate injury in the summer saw him miss out.

Despite injury and also missing out through international commitments, Shields made 15 appearances in his first season for Wasps, while he has also skippered the side on occasions.

RANKED | The 10 highest paid people in rugby union, 2020

Keep reading to see the top 10 highest-paid people in rugby union, ranked in ascending order of earnings.

9=. ANDY FARRELL £600k (Ireland)

The first of two Farrell's on this list, Andy received a significant pay boost when he took over from Joe Schmidt following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

9=. DAN BIGGAR £600k (Northampton Saints)

The Welsh pivot has made the most of his big-money move from Ospreys to Northampton Saints, where he has shone consistently since joining in 2018.

8. STEVE LUATUA £650k (Bristol Bears)

Didn't make any friends within the All Blacks hierarchy when he decided to cash in on his extreme rugby talent, signing for Bristol in 2017. Has since signed a two-year contract extension. The All Blacks aren’t allowed by the New Zealand Rugby Union to pick exiles.

6=. OWEN FARRELL £750k (Saracens)

The England captain signed his deal a while ago. It's set to run until 2022 when he can expect to earn an increase again wherever he decides to play, assuming rugby hasn't completely decided to tighten its belt by then.

6=. EDDIE JONES £750k (England)

The highest-paid international rugby coach. His salary pales in comparison to Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola (£20million) and England football chief Gareth Southgate (£3m).

5. PAT LAM £800k (Bristol Bears)

The former Newcastle, Northampton and Samoa back-row will remain at Ashton Gate until at least 2023 after signing a bumper contract extension in 2019. The 50-year-old, as a result, became the highest paid rugby boss in the world.

4. MARO ITOJE £825k (Saracens)

Signed a new deal last year that was reportedly between £750,000 and £1 million. He's one of the front runners to captain the Lions
next year and is widely regarded as the best lock in the world, with the salary to match.

3. EBEN ETZEBETH £900k (Toulon)

The 28-year-old Springbok extended his stay at the French club in July by signing a new three-year deal with the club that will see him remain at the club until June 2023.

2=. CHARLES PIUTAU £1m (Bristol Bears)

The former New Zealand wing or full-back become British rugby’s first million-pound player when he signed for Bristol Bears. The former All Black speedster, who deserted his international ambitions at the premature age of 23, has consistently been one of the best players in Europe since 2015.

1=. HANDRE POLLARD £1m (Montpellier)

The World Cup-winning Springboks playmaker Handre Pollard became the joint highest paid rugby player in the world alongside Piutau when he agreed to leave the Bulls in Super Rugby to join Montpellier in the Top 14 last year.