"Benchmark" – England enforcer Simon Shaw names the three toughest opponents he ever faced

With 71 caps for England, three Rugby World Cups, and a Heineken Cup triumph with Wasps, the 6ft 8in lock carved out a reputation as one of the game’s true hardmen.

After hanging up his boots, Shaw spent the final chapter of his career at Toulon, where he crossed paths with some of rugby’s fiercest competitors.

Speaking to Planet Rugby, the powerhouse lock revealed the three toughest men he ever faced across his glittering career when naming his Team Of My Life.

Position: Lock | Caps: 85 for the Springboks

Nicknamed The Enforcer, Bakkies Botha is often described as the most feared lock of his generation.Standing 6ft 6in and weighing in at over 18 stone, he formed a legendary second-row partnership with Victor Matfield that powered South Africa to World Cup glory in 2007, as well as Tri-Nations and Lions series victories.

Renowned for his uncompromising physicality, Botha played the game right on the edge, leaving opponents battered and bruised.

After dominating with the Bulls in Super Rugby, he joined Toulon and helped the French giants to three consecutive European Cups, cementing his status as a true great of the modern era.

Position: Flanker | Caps: 83 for the All Blacks

A two-time Rugby World Cup winner in 2011 and 2015, Jerome Kaino was the embodiment of the classic All Black blindside flanker – ruthless, relentless, and uncompromising.

Blessed with raw power and athleticism, he became a cornerstone of New Zealand’s dominance in the early 2010s, producing crunching tackles and thunderous carries in equal measure.

Kaino’s reputation as one of rugby’s ultimate warriors was matched by his leadership and humility off the field, making him one of the most respected figures in the sport.

After leaving New Zealand, he finished his career in France with Toulouse, where he added two Top 14 titles and a Champions Cup to his glittering CV.

Position: Flanker | Caps: 55 for the All Blacks

Known as The Iceman, Michael Jones is regarded as one of the finest flankers the game has ever produced.

A devout Christian, he famously refused to play on Sundays, yet still managed to leave an indelible mark on world rugby. Jones burst onto the international scene at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, where he was hailed as the tournament’s standout player as the All Blacks lifted the trophy.

His mix of speed, skill, and ferocity in the tackle made him a revolutionary figure in the back row.

Though his career was disrupted by serious knee injuries, his influence endured, and he remains a beloved figure in New Zealand rugby history – a true trailblazer and gentleman of the game.