Called up as a replacement for injured Irishman Malcolm O'Kelly, Shaw beat off stiff competition in the form of Grand Slam winners Brent Cockbain and Robert Sidoli to win his place in the squad.

A tourist of South Africa with the 1997 Lions, Shaw has been perfoming in the top-flight of English domestic rugby for well over a decade after making his debut at 17 and won his first England cap in 1996.

A hugely powerful man standing well over 6ft and weighing in over the 19st mark, Shaw is also blessed with hands that many backs would kill for making him an excellent all-rounder in the second row.

Yet despite his obvious talent he has won just 28 caps for England, with the presence of the likes of Martin Johnson, Ben Kay and Danny Grewcock limiting his impact at the highest level.

Indeed while his career achievements will include being part of England's World Cup winning squad in 2003, he only travelled after being called up as an injury replacement, a case of deja vu here then, and even then was an unused replacement only once.

Yet his performances for Wasps this season have been phenomenal and he was a key performer as Leicester, particularly his old nemesis Johnson, were clinically dispatched in the Zurich Premiership final.

His status as a late call-up suggests a month on the 'dirt track' is on the cards but the fact Sir Clive Woodward knows him of old will help.