Tom Shanklin
Wales
player portrait
Full name Tomos George Llewellyn Shanklin
Born November 24, 1979, Harrow, Middx
Current age 44 years 116 days
Major teams British and Irish Lions XV, Cardiff Blues, Saracens, Wales
Position Wing, Centre
Height 6 ft 2 in
Weight 218 lb
Relations Father - JL Shanklin

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 2001-2010 70 56 14 100 20 0 0 0 32 36 2 47.14
Five/Six Nations 2002-2010 31 23 8 45 9 0 0 0 17 14 0 54.83
IRB Rugby World Cup 2003-2007 6 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 50

Career statistics
Test debut Japan v Wales at Tokyo, Jun 17, 2001 match details
Last Test Wales v New Zealand at Millennium Stadium, Nov 27, 2010 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list

English Premiership
Team Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All matches 1999-2003 36 31 5 35 7 0 0 0 12 24 0 33.33
Saracens 1999-2003 36 31 5 35 7 0 0 0 12 24 0 33.33
Profile

Shanklin made his Wales debut against Japan in 2001, while playing his club rugby with Saracens. He became a dependable presence in the Wales midfield, with an excellent scoring record at both international and domestic level.

He held dual residency with both Wales and England, having been born in Harrow, but chose to follow his father, Jim, into a Wales shirt. He played his first top level rugby for London Welsh before joining Saracens in 1999. Shanklin played for the London side for four seasons before becoming one of Cardiff Blues' first signings in 2003.

He was by this point an established international, having made his Six Nations debut against France in 2002. He was selected by Steve Hansen for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, playing in Pool games against Tonga and New Zealand, notching a try in the latter.

His first taste of genuine success at international level came in the 2005 Six Nations when, in tandem with Gavin Henson, he formed arguably the best centre partnership in Europe as Wales won their first Grand Slam in nearly 30 years.

Shanklin's excellent form during the tournament led to his selection for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, although a career threatening knee injury would end his tour before the Test matches. The injury would wipe out his 2005-06 season, with question marks remaining over whether a return to playing would be possible.

His eventual return came at the start of the 2006-07 season with the Blues, and then for Wales in the autumn international against Australia at the Millennium Stadium. Shanklin soon returned to form approaching his best, and was again a regular in the Welsh setup. His first Six Nations back from injury in 2007 was a disappointing one, as Wales could only register a single win against England.

Selection for the Rugby World Cup squad was assured with some fine end-of-season displays for the Blues, but poor Welsh performances at the finals saw Shanklin again exiting a World Cup early.

Under new Wales coach Warren Gatland, Shanklin was at first left on the bench for the Six Nations opener against England. After replacing Sonny Parker his influence was immediately apparent as Wales stormed back into the match, and he started the remaining games as he claimed his second Grand Slam in four seasons.

He was also a key member of Wales squad that went close to securing back-to-back Championships the following year - only to be pipped by Ireland. His form was rewarded with a place in the British & Irish Lions squad for that year's tour to South Africa but a shoulder injury suffered on Magners League duty with the Blues ended his tour before it had begun.

Again he fought back and enjoyed two further seasons with the Blues, and further honours with Wales, but he was forced to announce his retirement from the game in April 2011, having finally succumbed to his troublesome knee.

Scrum Staff

Latest Articles
Staring into the Six Nations crystal ball (Mar 19, 2014) Sorrow for Shanklin (Apr 26, 2011) Shanklin announces retirement (Apr 21, 2011) Blues confirm Williams and Shanklin exit (Jan 20, 2011) Williams and Shanklin set for Blues exit (Jan 19, 2011) Tom Shanklin news and articles (55) »
Latest Photos
Dec 19, 2010
Saints' Ben Foden leaves Cardiff defenders in his wake
Saints' Ben Foden leaves Cardiff defenders in his wake
©  PA Photos
Dec 19, 2010
Cardiff skipper Paul Tito gets to grips with the Saints' Dylan Hartley
Cardiff skipper Paul Tito gets to grips with the Saints' Dylan Hartley
©  PA Photos
Dec 19, 2010
Northampton's Dylan Hartley throws into a lineout at the Cardiff City Stadium
Northampton's Dylan Hartley throws into a lineout at the Cardiff City Stadium
©  Getty Images
Dec 19, 2010
Cardiff's Tom Shanklin is halted by Northampton's Chris Ashton
Cardiff's Tom Shanklin is halted by Northampton's Chris Ashton
©  Getty Images
Tom Shanklin rugby photos (21) »

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