England have not been a purist's delight but if Ireland were competing in Saturday's final against the Springboks, and had done so with the same rugby and results, we'd assuredly be singing a different tune. Think of Italia '90, the beautiful game, and all that. And, in a squad of venerable old fairytales, if Simon Shaw was in the second row, we'd undoubtedly be heralding it as one of the most heart-warming sports stories of 2007.

A huge man and yet a hugely talented player, with handling skills which even some Test backs would kill for, Shaw's tortuous and circuitous route to possibly ultimate redemption in Stade de France takes some beating. As thoroughly straight and honest off the pitch as he is on it, the 6ft 8in, 19st 7lb lock is finally playing regularly in an England team which fully utilises his ball-carrying and distribution skills as well as his undoubted strength and height.

It's only taken four World Cups and 11 years since his debut. He ruptured knee ligaments two weeks before preparations started for the 1995 tournament, and was overlooked by Clive Woodward in 1999 and 2003, despite being Man of the Match in the warm-up win over Wales, when earning little consolation by way of a late, non-playing call-up and a token winners' medal. At one stage Shaw was used only once in a run of 42 games by Woodward, who infamously explained that the lock was too similar to Martin Johnson, to which Shaw famously remarked: "Most people would say having two Martin Johnsons in your side is a good thing."

Other injuries have played their part too, such as a broken ankle and a double dislocation while playing for Bristol in 1994, but all the while what has sustained him throughout has been his subsequent, multiple-medal winning years at Wasps.

In another era, especially one not containing Johnson, his haul of 42 caps might now be in excess of 100. "I'm not too worried about it. It's been a case of, on many occasions, I've been selected at the end of the season or as a last ditch effort in the Six Nations or whatever. I need games, I gain more and more confidence through playing with the guys around me and they (England selectors) have given me that opportunity in the warm-up games and throughout this World Cup to get minutes on the pitch and I've just gained in confidence from that."

Shaw always argued that all he ever needed was a run in the England team, citing two narrowly missed Grand Slams in 1996 and 2000 as the only previous occasions he was granted a full campaign.

In any event, this World Cup is further proof of his theory, for the remarkably consistent and durable 34-year-old has missed only the Tonga game in England's unlikely run to the final. "I think I've always played this way. I've just had more of a run so people have been kind of sitting up and noticing. In past games I think I've coped very well, I've played very well but obviously the coaches haven't seen fit to select me on and off after that. It's their choice. I love the game and love playing the games. I've got confidence playing for my club and I never lost hope of playing for England again, I just went about my business."

One of 12 of England's quarter-final and semi-final starting line-up who did not take part in their 43-13 defeat to Ireland at Croke Park, arguably only Wasps' Heineken European Cup winning run propelled him into the World Cup squad.

"It's been a lot of hard work getting here - about 12 years' hard work," he said wryly in that low-key, evenly delivered manner of his.

Sporting all manner of wounds on his battle-scarred face, Shaw will keep his "lucky" beard until the tournament is over. "I actually can't wait to shave this thing off but we haven't lost since it's been on there. I'm not a superstitious person but on this occasion I'll keep it on for a few more days! I don't care how or why as long as we win, like every other England supporter, all I care about now is that England win. That's all that counts."

Terrible beauty: only three remain as England are changed utterly

Remember that great night in Croke Park on February 24th? The 43-13 victory over England ensured expectations placed on Eddie O'Sullivan's team heading to France were completely out of control. Ireland were contenders, England also-rans, writes Gavin Cummiskey.

The also-rans contest the World Cup final this Saturday. England's remarkable revival can be explained by the contrasting line-ups as only three of the players Brian Ashton sent into the Croker furnace that evening remain - one from the backline, Jonny Wilkinson, and two up front, Martin Corry and captain Phil Vickery.

Granted, the excellent Josh Lewsey picked up an injury against France last weekend while the same fate befell Mike Tindall, David Strettle and Harry Ellis pre-tournament. Danny Grewcock was suspended. However, it was the return of several exiled or injured players that helped Ashton finally discover a winning formula.

Jason Robinson has been his old self at fullback; Paul Sackey a revelation on the wing; Mike Catt was man of the match from inside centre against France (he's a big tackler now); Andy Gomarsall brings control at scrumhalf; Andy Sheridan is devouring tightheads; Simon Shaw has been the tournament's most consistently outstanding lock; Lewis Moody and Nick Easter provide a superior bite and balance to the backrow.

England at Croke Park is not how the Ashton era will be remembered.

Croke Park

February 24th 2007

15 Olly Morgan (Bath)

14 Josh Lewsey (Wasps)

13 Mike Tindall (Gloucester)

12 Andy Farrell (Saracens)

11 David Strettle (Harlequins)

10 Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle)

9 Harry Ellis (Leicester)

1 Perry Freshwater (Perpignan)

2 George Chuter (Leicester)

3 Phil Vickery (Wasps)

4 Louis Deacon (Leicester)

5 Danny Grewcock (Bath)

6 Joe Worsley (Wasps)

7 Magnus Lund (Sale)

8 Martin Corry (Leicester)

Paris (probable)

October 20th 2007

15 Jason Robinson (Unattached)

14 Paul Sackey (Wasps)

13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester)

12 Mike Catt (London Irish)

11 Matthew Tait (Newcastle)

10 Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle)

9 Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins)

1 Andy Sheridan (Sale)

2 Mark Regan (Bristol)

3 Phil Vickery (Wasps)

4 Simon Shaw (Wasps)

5 Ben Kay (Leicester)

6 Martin Corry (Leicester)

7 Lewis Moody (Leicester)

8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)