Brad Shields ready to silence his critics when he makes his first England start against South Africa

Shields' breathless start to international rugby continues with his selection at blindside flanker for Saturday's second Test against South Africa

Brad Shields will make his first England start in Saturday's second Test against South Africa (Getty)

Brad Shields insists his grounding into his English roots extends to eating chip butties served by his grandparents after declaring his commitment to Twickenham in the face opposition to his selection.

Shields' breathless start to international rugby continues with his selection at blindside flanker for Saturday's second Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein a week after completing his debut as a first-half replacement at Ellis Park.

Making way for the 27-year-old Kiwi at blindside flanker is Chris Robshaw, who has been dropped for the first time since becoming established in England's back row six years ago.

Shields' line-out expertise and work-rate, combined with Robshaw's slump in form, have been offered by Jones as the explanation for his inclusion but it is a decision that sits uneasily with some outside the camp.

Former England captain Lewis Moody and coach Sir Clive Woodward have voiced their disquiet, while World Rugby vice chairman Agustin Pichot views his switch of allegiance made possible by his English parents as evidence the game is “losing something”.

Their reasons differ – some oppose his presence on the grounds he has yet to play in the Aviva Premiership while Pichot's dismay is aimed at the loose boundaries governing nationality – but for the Wasps-bound Hurricanes captain his loyalty and dedication are not in doubt.

“My grandparents were very English and when we were brought up there was a lot of English heritage - all the teaspoons on the wall and chip butties on a Sunday afternoon,” Shields said.

“That sort of stuff mainly came from my grandparents because my parents moved to New Zealand when they were young, but they definitely made sure we knew where we came from and about our heritage.

“Rugby's a funny sport in terms of where you can end up. It's a bit of universal culture. For us it's about opportunity and making the most of this small window, whether that be where you start off playing or, like me, where you end up playing.

“For a sportsman it's always your goal to take your skills to the next level. My goal was to go to the next level. I wanted to move on and try something new.

“This opportunity was there and I thought I might as well make the most of it. I didn't think it was going to come this early, to be fair. I'm quite surprised to be in this situation right now.

“I'm obviously 100 per cent committed. If I didn't want to be here I would have said no. I'm willing to put everything into this jersey. I just want to put my best foot forward, put my hand up, do a job in the jersey and prove to people I really want to do well for the country.”

Chris Robshaw struggled in the first Test (Getty)

From Jones' perspective dropping Robshaw was both an easy and difficult decision to make, the Harlequins back row's slip in performance since the Six Nations offset by the removal from the matchday 23 of a player who has been a valued servant.

“Chris was very disappointed but was not overly surprised. He's a very hard taskmaster himself and realises that he hasn't been in great form,” Jones said. “We're trying to find out why but at the moment we can't. Hopefully we'll get him right for the third test. Most definitely he'll come back from this. The door hasn't been closed. Players go through ups and downs, just like teams go through ups and downs. Chris accepts that and accept that he'll have to do some work to get back into the side and I'm sure he'll do that.”

Joe Launchbury returns from his calf injury to add grunt to the second row while Danny Cipriani will make his first appearance since 2015 off the bench.