Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks was pleased by Simon Shaw's performance on his return to action against London Irish.
Wasps chief happy to welcome back second-rower
Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks was pleased not only by his side's 24-20 LV= Cup win over London Irish, but also by Simon Shaw's performance on his return to action.
Shaw missed the opening two months of the season with a metatarsal injury and made his first start of the campaign for the Londoners on Sunday.
The 36-year-old managed to make it through the match unscathed although rather blotted his copybook with a late sin-binning.
However, Hanks was delighted to have the imposing second-rower back in his plans, stating: "'Shawsy' will look at it as a mixed performance - but from our point of view, it's great to get him through.
"He's feeling all right. The foot's fine, and he's got a spring in his step at the moment.
"We know he's a big man, but sometimes he looks so much bigger than the others - he has that presence around him."
Questioned whether he expects Shaw to be called up by England this week, Hanks added: "I've got no expectation.
"I think they [England's selectors] were keen to give him a couple of weeks. I haven't spoken to the England management but I guess they were going to see how they got on yesterday, and how 'Shawsy' got on today.
"But if they don't want to use him, I'm sure we can find a place for him here. We're delighted to have 'Shawsy' back."
Of the victory over Irish, he continued: "It's been a good week for us, coming off the disappointment of last week (a Premiership defeat to Leeds). We changed things around; the players did everything in terms of preparation.
"There were a lot of players out there looking to make an impression - and if I had come to watch, I would have gone home pretty happy. It was entertaining."
Booth upbeat
Despite losing, Exiles head coach Toby Booth took heart from his heavily-changed side's performance saying: "I thought that was one of the most entertaining games of rugby I've seen for a while - irrespective of the result, which is obviously everything.
"I'm disappointed we lost but I was very encouraged by our ambition - and we played with the ball in hand.
"We made 13 changes; I wanted to answer a few questions on the depth of our squad, and we have shown we have good strength in depth.
"I think collectively it shows what a good place London Irish is at the moment."
