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Brad Shields remains a doubt for England's Six Nations opener vs Ireland

Brad Shields catches the ball during the England captain's run at Pennyhill Park on November 9, 2018 in Bagshot, England.
Image: Brad Shields picked up a side strain on duty with Wasps earlier this month

Brad Shields missed training on Tuesday morning to put his involvement in England's Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland in doubt.

Shields has been struggling with a side strain and was already a doubt for Saturday's opener at the Aviva Stadium before sitting out the session at the squad's Algarve training camp.

If the Kiwi-born Wasps back row is ruled out, Mark Wilson is likely to fill in at blindside flanker.

Wilson was named England's player of the series last autumn with three superb appearances at No 8 and one at openside flanker propelling him into World Cup contention.

The 29-year-old, who recently recovered from a shoulder injury, plays most of his club rugby at Newcastle in the No 6 jersey.

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Ben Te'o was also absent from training, although the Worcester centre is not known to be injured.

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Eddie Jones will reduce his 35-man squad later on Tuesday when a number of players will return home, before naming his team for the Dublin clash on Thursday.

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