Top 14 Orange
Shaw in line for Toulon debut
ESPNscrum Staff
December 22, 2011
Simon Shaw answers questions from the media on the day he is unveiled as a Toulon player, Toulon press conference, Stade Mayol, Toulon, France, November 14, 2011
Simon Shaw will be at Toulon until at least the end of the current season © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Simon Shaw
Tournaments/Tours: Top 14 Orange
Teams: England | Toulon | Wasps

England lock Simon Shaw will take his bow for Toulon on Friday in their clash against Lyon in the Top 14 Orange.

Shaw has been struggling with a fractured eye socket since he arrived at Toulon, after asking to be released from his contract with Wasps. Shaw has arrived on the Mediterranean as an 'injury joker,' coming into the side in place of Bakkies Botha, and is likely to line up alongside either one of the former Premiership veterans Kris Chesney or Dean Schofield.

And Shaw is relishing the chance to pull on the black and red of Toulon. "I cannot wait to play and I am excited over what the experience will hold," Shaw told Midi Olympique. "I was very disappointed not to start earlier because of the injury but it is fixed and I really want to play."

Shaw will now take in the famous Toulon atmosphere for the first time as a player and he admits it will be a far cry from his former experiences at Adams Park with Wasps. "I experienced the atmosphere for the first time as a spectator against Brive and I was very impressed - almost shocked," Shaw said. "It increases your desire to experience it as a player. It is nothing like what I knew at Adams Park."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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