Hanks tells England: Fit-again Shaw is ready to face Pumas
WASPS have handed England manager Martin Johnson a massive boost by insisting Simon Shaw will be available to face Argentina should he be required.
The 36-year-old lock is set to make his first appearance since the summer’s British and Irish Lions tour in Sunday’s Premiership clash with Leeds after recovering from a metatarsal injury. And despite being omitted from Johnson’s squad for the forthcoming autumn series, Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks is adamant that if Shaw comes through unscathed, he must feature for his country.
“He should be back for Leeds, if he comes through this week. He’s been working hard and looks ready to go,” Hanks said. “England will be looking at him. He hasn’t played since the Lions and they say you’re only as good as your last game so he’s in a nice spot at the moment.”
Shaw excelled in South Africa, earning his first Lions cap in three tours in the second Test, and Hanks has no doubts he will soon be back to his best.
“Simon feels he needs to get some rugby under his belt. Seeing him back in an England jersey would be great,” he said. “With most players you’d say two games wouldn’t be enough, but Simon Shaw is not a normal player.”