Tom Shanklin

As of April 21, 2011 National: October 12, 2011

Tom Shanklin (* November 24, 1979 in Harrow, England ) is a former Welsh rugby union player who played for Cardiff Blues and for the Welsh national team. He was on the team that won the Grand Slam in the Six Nations in 2005 and 2008. Shanklin played on the position inside three quarters.

Career

2001 Shanklin made ​​his debut for Wales against Japan. At that time he played for the Saracens in the Guinness Premiership. He began his career at the London Welsh. Since he grew up in England, he could not decide between the English and Welsh national team. Ultimately, he succeeded his father, Jim, who comes from Wales. With the emergence of the Cardiff Blues he moved to the Celtic League. At this time he had already gained experience in international rugby. So he stood in the squad for the 2003 World Cup, where he scored a try against the All Blacks.

With the Six Nations 2005 he formed together with Gavin Henson an outstanding duo as inner three quarters and had such large share of the Grand Slam win. Consequently, he was also nominated for the British and Irish Lions. He was injured but before the start of the tour, so he could not actively participate in the Games. He fell as a result of this injury from almost a full season, so that even a premature end career Shanklins could not be excluded. But in the next season he was again part of the Welsh squad, but was followed by a disappointing Six Nations and the Vorrundenaus at the World Championships. The team beat under new coach Warren Gatland at the Six Nations back in 2008 and again managed to secure the Grand Slam. Shanklin was employed in all games. With the Blues in 2009 he succeeded in winning the EDF Energy Cup.

On 21 April 2009, he was nominated again for a tour of the British and Irish Lions. Due to a serious shoulder injury his participation will remain, however, denied. Two months after knee surgery Shanklin was April 21, 2011 announced his immediate resignation.