Shaw gets call to join the Lions

Simon Shaw's rollercoaster rugby career took another dramatic twist today when he was called up to join the British and Irish Lions squad in New Zealand.

He will fly out from Heathrow this evening as a replacement for Irish lock forward Malcolm O'Kelly, who has been forced out of the tour with an abdominal injury. Shaw, who last month helped London Wasps win a third successive Zurich Premiership title at Twickenham, was to have spent this summer playing for England in the Churchill Cup in North America.

He will now arrive here on Saturday morning, hopefully in time to get to Rotorua to watch the Lions play their opening match against Bay of Plenty.

Shaw, who was due to play in Martin Johnson's testimonial match this weekend, said: "I am absolutely delighted but I feel for Mal and wish him well in his recovery.

"It is a great honour to be involved with theLions and to be honest it is only just sinking in. It will be fantastic to get out there."

Shaw has suffered more than his fair share of disappointments in his career and was devastated to miss out on selection for the original Lions party. And, despite this late call-up, Shaw has every chance of being a serious Test team candidate.