Harlequins prop Matt Shields now ready for his crack in big league  

Rookie Harlequins tighthead Matt Shields has endured a baptism of fire since joining from Darlington Mowden Park in February and emerged with flying colours.
But he says the pain of packing down against top Test props Mako Vunipola, Alex Corbisiero and Paul James is nothing compared to the brutal hardship being faced by former Tynedale teammate Stu Ridley, who in February was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.
Ridley, 25, is bravely fighting the disease, whilst a facebook campaign is raising thousands, and Shields told The Rugby Paper: “I played with Stu at Tynedale when I had a year on loan there from Newcastle. It’s been a horrendous time for him and the family.
“But he’s been such an inspiration in the way he’s fought it and, like a lot of Premiership clubs, the Quins boys have been doing their bit by signing shirts for the fund-raising effort. Any hardship we go through as players is nothing compared to what’s happened to Stu.”
At Newcastle, Shields trained alongside best mate Keiran Brookes. But the pair went separate ways and Carlisle-born Shields took the circular route via Nottingham, Plymouth and Darlington before earning a second crack at the big time with Quins.
“I’m absolutely loving it,” Shields said. “It’s been mental coming down from Darlington and going straight into the Premiership, but it’s been an unbelievable experience so far and I’ve had some tough tests against some of the best looseheads in world rugby. Keiran Brookes and I are best mates and we lived together in Newcastle for a bit. Things didn’t quite go for me there and I had to drop down a level to earn another crack, but he’s done very well and has had a couple of opportunities this season with England.
“He’s been playing really well and I’m delighted to see him getting on as he is. Hopefully he can get into that World Cup squad now because he’s scrummaged brilliantly when he’s played for England, and seeing what he’s done is pretty inspirational for me.”
Shields will soon be able to lean upon the experience of another top Test prop in the shape of Lions hero Adam Jones, who joins Quins from Cardiff this summer.
“When I signed, Conor O’Shea and John Kingston said they were looking to bring in an experienced tighthead to help Will Collier, Kyle Sinckler and myself develop, so there’s no substitute for the stuff someone like Adam Jones can pass on,” said Shields, 24.
“We’re all quite young so he’ll be a massive plus for Quins next season and it’s a really good fit. I’ll be looking to crack on now and pre-season will be brilliant for me in terms of getting up to speed with fitness and attack and defence. I can’t wait for October.”
As for the National One outfit he left behind, Shields predicts a big future, adding: “There’s a massive potential at Darlington and they’ll aim to get in the Championship.
“The business side of the club is fantastic and, while they won’t just throw money at it, they will look to push on after a successful first year in National One.
“It would be great for the North-east to have two professional teams and good for Newcastle Falcons to have a strong link with a Championship side.”
NEALE HARVEY
For Stuart Ridley fundraising see www.facebook.com/staystrongst