Simon ShawThe Hard Yards by Shaw Simon
Simon Shaw has played more professional matches than any other player in English rugby history, which is remarkable given that he didn't pick up a rugby ball until he was 16. With a World Cup winner's medal in 2003, a runners-up medal in the 2007 competition, fifty England caps and ten trophies won with London Wasps, the ultimate Lion, Shaw is one of the biggest names in rugby. Yet he has experienced his fair share of disappointments. Sir Clive Woodward delivered the lowest blow, dropping him from the World Cup squad in 2003, although he'd been named man of the match in the final warm-up fixture against Wales. Shaw eventually joined the England squad in Australia, replacing the injured Danny Grewcock, and was subsequently handed a winner's medal in Sydney. But while Shaw partied with the rest of the players, he couldn't forget that he was merely a late addition who hadn't played for a single minute during the tournament. In Simon Shaw - The Hard Yards: My Story, the 6 ft 9 in. lock forward recounts his bittersweet memories of that time and charts his eventful rise to the top, from the early days playing for Bristol to lasting success at both club and international level. He talks openly about his England career, reveals why he believes he was a better player than his arch-rival for the England number 4 jersey, Martin Johnson, and takes us inside the England and Wasps dressing-rooms armed with his razor-sharp sense of humour and cutting put-downs. Simon Shaw is a big man with an even bigger story to tell, and no stone is left unturned in this candid autobiography.
"An affable read.. offers the clearest insight yet into what happened during England's moment of crisis at the 2007 World Cup" The Guardian "An excellent read ... the thing that shines through most is Shaw's love of rugby" Sporting Life
Simon Shaw was born in Kenya in 1973 and his family settled in England in 1988. After a spell at Cranleigh Youth Club, he went on to play for Bristol Rugby (1990-1997) and London Wasps (1997 to present). He has been awarded 50 caps for England and has played for both the British and Irish Lions and the Barbarians.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781845965112 |
| ISBN 10 | 1845965116 |
| Title | Simon ShawThe Hard Yards |
| Author | Shaw Simon |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Transworld Publishers Ltd |
| Year published | 2009-09-17 |
| Number of pages | 272 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |