England replace injured Shields with Dombrandt in training camp

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - England Training - Clifton College Sports Ground, Bristol, Britain - July 15, 2019 Brad Shields of England during training Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

(Reuters) - Wasps flanker Brad Shields has been withdrawn from England's training camp in Italy due to a ligament injury in his foot and will be replaced by Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Thursday.

Shields sustained the injury during England's 12-day heat camp in Treviso that is aimed at helping players acclimatise to conditions expected during this year's World Cup in Japan.

"Shields will undergo assessment in England to understand the extent of the injury ... Quins forward Dombrandt will fly out to Italy to join the squad later," the RFU said on Twitter.

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Premiership - Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons - Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham, Britain - November 16, 2018 Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt scores their first try Action Images/Adam Holt

England will play four World Cup warm-up games -- at home and away to Wales and at home against Ireland and Italy -- before heading to Japan where they kick off their campaign against Tonga on Sept. 22.

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)