SOUTHEND Saxons starlet Chris Shields is on the radar of Premiership giants Wasps.

The Rayleigh based 18-year-old has broken into Southend’s first team this season, starting the last three games.

And his fine form has alerted Wasps who selected him in their second team for last week’s clash with Saracens.

Wasps are now keen to invite Shields back for another game and Southend’s director of rugby Chris Green remains thrilled to see the youngster recognised for his efforts.

“In the space of a year, Chris has gone from being an under 17 player at Rochford to playing at Twickenham with Seevic, getting into the first team at Southend and now playing for Wasps’ second team which is just remarkable,” said Green.

“Wasps like to have a look at one or two young players in these type of games and Kevin Harman, their first team manager, is still involved with us too so he was able to sort it out for Chris.

“It’s a fantastic experience for him and he remains on their radar now.”

Shields, a former FitzWimarc School pupil, played the full 80 minutes in a 42-36 defeat.

But the back row remains shocked to have got the call up.

“It was all really random and came out of the blue,” said Shields.

“Chris (Green) pulled me to one side just before one of our games to tell me about what was happening and I was really ecstatic.

“I was over the moon about it but I had actually hide how happy I was and put it to one side because we were about to play a game.”

But Shields was eager to make the most of the opportunity and was pleased with his performance.

“I made a few good carries and made only one real error so I was fairly pleased with how it went,” said the teenager.

“The game was a lot faster than I had been used to and a lot more skilful too but I really enjoyed it.

“They’ve been emailing asking when I’m next free to play and this whole experience has been brilliant for me.

“It’s given my confidence a boost and I think it’s made me a better player too.”