Shaw targets World Cup spot

Shaw will be motivated by past disappointments against Wales

By Phil Jackson   Last updated: 1st August 2007

Simon Shaw England train 2007

Shaw: Training for the World Cup

I played in the England versus Wales fixture before the last World Cup and won man of the match, so it was a little bit of a surprise I was omitted.

Simon Shaw.
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England second-rower Simon Shaw is eager to take his last chance to win a World Cup start, as Wales head to Twickenham on live on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday.

The Wasps veteran has endured to a torrid time at international level since making his debut for the country against Italy in 1996.

He has racked up 34 caps since then, but has crucially failed to work his way into the starting XV for the 1999 and 2003 World Cups, despite enjoying a glittering career at club level.

Frustration

But with Brian Ashton still uncertain of his team for the tournament in France in September, Shaw admits his international development has been limited.

"From a personal perspective, in terms of how I have played season on season, I don't think I could have done much more," Shaw said.

"In the club game I have achieved everything there is to achieve, but that obviously hasn't translated to the international scene. It has been purely down to selection and people who were in charge at the time."

Persistence

But as England prepare for the defence of their world crown, Shaw knows he has a great opportunity to play himself firmly into England's thoughts.

"Your confidence takes a knock every time you don't get selected, but I never

gave up on the hope of playing for England again," Shaw added.

"I have been striving all last season to reach this goal of getting to the World Cup.

"You need a certain amount of security to develop relationships on the pitch

with players you don't play with very often. One-off games don't really enable

you to do that, so I would like to play maybe more than one or two games."

See how Shaw and his team-mates get on in their first World Cup warm-up game live on Sky Sports 2 from 3.30pm on Saturday.