South Africa hold no fears for Shaw
Simon Shaw ready to take on the Springboks
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Thursday, 25, Jun 2009 09:45
British and Irish Lions lock Simon Shaw insists he has no fears of going up against the mighty South African forwards when he plays in the second Test.
The 35-year-old will make his Lions Test debut 12 years after he first wore the famous red jersey and is determined to come out fighting against the Springboks.
The world champions have arguably the best two lock forwards in the world in Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, but Shaw insisted he had faced many challenges in the last few years and was ready to face another one.
"I don't fear any of my opposite numbers," said Shaw. "I've played against them twice during the last World Cup, certainly as a pair they are ranked the best in the world.
"It's been one hell of a journey but you've got to keep believing. Every time I've been knocked back I've built myself back up again.
"In 2007 I had a goal to get to the World Cup final and play in that. We came up short but I realised an ambition. This year I set myself the goal of being here and getting a Test cap. To get a start is fantastic and I'm chuffed to bits."
Shaw is one of five changes Lions coach Ian McGeechan has made to the side which narrowly lost 25-21 in the first Test in Durban last week.
Adam Jones and Matthew Rees have been given the difficult task of trying to stop the formidable Boks front row, Rob Kearney comes into full-back instead of the injured Lee Byrne and Luke Fitzgerald has been brought into the left-wing in-place of Ugo Monye.