LEWIS MOODY is uncomfortable with Kiwi Brad Shields touring South Africa with England this summer.
The Hurricanes captain and ex-wannabee All Black will join up with his new side on Monday – after the RFU paid for his release from Super Rugby.
Under normal rules players outside of the Premiership are not eligible for selection, but as flanker Shields is joining Wasps later this summer, he has got in through a loophole.
But former Red Rose skipper Moody said: “I know the professional game is changing, but picking Shields doesn’t sit well for me at all.
“He’s a Kiwi who has played all of his rugby in New Zealand. When it was felt that the All Blacks weren’t going to work for him, another avenue opens up.
“If he had spent a couple of years in the Premiership earning his stripes, that would sit better with me.
“Eddie is able to pick him and he has done, but it’s discouraging for the English flankers who have come through the system here.
“I can understand that it frustrates them, but equally it’s making a statement – Eddie clearly doesn’t think he has the options here so has to look elsewhere. It’s bit of a rocket to get some players playing harder.
“But I have to admit, I’m not entirely sure what Eddie is looking for in the back row.”
England fly to the southern hemisphere on Saturday night on the back of a four-game losing streak and their worst Six Nations on record.
With the first Test a week on Saturday, they also have to win in Johannesburg for the first time since 1972 to shock the Springboks.
And Moody said: “It’s good for them to be under a bit of pressure.
“Eddie hasn’t had to deal with as quite as much of that. He’s had incredible run, but the best thing that could have happened to them is an awful campaign because otherwise the wins can paper over the cracks.
“You need the wheels to come off a little bit so that you know who you can really depend on and what changes need to be made.
“The pressure that has come off the back of defeat is a positive thing. We’ll see some new faces in South Africa, which is also good.”
Land Rover ambassador Moody also questioned defence coach Paul Gustard’s reasons for quitting his country for Harlequins with the 2019 World Cup around the corner.
The former Leicester Tigers and Bath flanker added: “The fact he’s chosen not to go to the World Cup either says something about the environment or the opportunity was too good to turn down.
“Having spoken to a lot of coaches and physios around the England camp, it’s a brutally tough environment and you can’t sugar coat it.
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“There comes a time when that work rate and attrition becomes too much and you say that important as playing or being involved for my country is, my own personal well-being and happiness comes above it.
“Maybe that’s the decision that’s been taken because we know that Eddie runs a really tight and strict ship, especially for his coaches.
“The players probably get a slightly easier ride because he wants them fresh and ready to deliver. The coaches because they don’t have to be physically active probably get rinsed a bit more.
Lewis Moody is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover has this year celebrated its Testimonial Season of supporting grassroots rugby in the UK.
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