England count on Shaw for RWC 2011

One name in particular will bring a smile to the face of England supporters when they see manager Martin Johnson’s 30-name selection for Rugby World Cup 2011: Simon Shaw.

The 37-year-old second row missed the cut in 2003, the year Johnson captained the national side to Rugby World Cup victory in Sydney, although he was later called up as a replacement.

But his perseverance was rewarded when, four years ago, Shaw was a key man, helping England to their third final. At 203cm and 122kg he is a handy option for Johnson, despite the miles on the clock - he turns 38 before the tournament starts in New Zealand.

England face physical opponents Argentina in the group stages and Shaw’s size could be useful in the tight exchanges. Elsewhere in the pack there is a mix of wise old heads such as Nick Easter and 2003 winner Steve Thompson, playing in his third World Cup, and young guns such as Courtney Lawes and Alex Corbisiero.

While England lack a genuine openside flanker, loose forwards Easter, Tom Croft, James Haskell, Lewis Moody and Tom Wood compensate with sheer power. Prop Matt Stevens, having completed his two-year ban for failing a drugs test, has forced his way back into the reckoning through his performances for Saracens.

In the backs, Riki Flutey misses out while scrum half Danny Care’s absence through injury paves the way for Joe Simpson, the only uncapped player in the squad, and Richard Wigglesworth to challenge Ben Youngs for the number nine jersey.

'Right mix' for Johnson

Delon Armitage has the opportunity to stake his claim for the full back berth after a convincing performance against Wales in early August. Mark Cueto, who came so agonisingly close to scoring a try in the 2007 Final at the Stade de France when England lost to South Africa, brings experience to the back three, while the 201cm-tall Bath powerhouse Matt Banahan offers England options from centre or wing.

Manu Tuilagi gets his chance after impressing in a warm-up game against Wales. The 20-year-old is the youngest of the Tuilagi rugby-playing dynasty, with brothers Henry, Freddie, Alex and Andy all having played for Samoa at senior level.

England’s 2003 World Cup-winning hero Jonny Wilkinson makes his fourth World Cup – the third Englishman to do so after Jason Leonard and Mike Catt.

Shontayne Hape should be a bit more used to New Zealand conditions than the rest of the squad – he was born in Auckland but moved to England in 2003 to play for Bradford Bulls. A rugby league international for New Zealand, he qualified for England’s rugby union team through residency.

"The composition of the squad is very important and we think we have the right mix in this group. There were some very tough phone calls made last week; everybody came into this camp and worked extremely hard and some players have just missed out," admitted Johnson.

"For us now though it is important to look forward - there is great sense of unity in this group and we are pleased with the depth across the squad. We are all looking forward to the tournament and know that selecting the 30-man squad is just the beginning.”

England squad for RWC 2011:

Forwards: Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Nick Easter, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Courtney Lawes, Lee Mears, Lewis Moody (captain), Tom Palmer, Simon Shaw, Andrew Sheridan, Matt Stevens, Steve Thompson, David Wilson, Tom Wood.

Backs: Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Mark Cueto, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Shontayne Hape, Joe Simpson, Mike Tindall, Manu Tuilagi, Richard Wigglesworth, Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Youngs.

Squad subject to RWCL approval.