The giant Wasps lock amassed 12 appearances on the Lions tours of 1997 and 2005, losing only once, but he is yet to the wear the famous red shirt against international opposition.
Fresh from university, Shaw first played for the Lions at the age of 24 despite not taking up rugby properly until he was 16.
Having been part of the original touring party in 1997, Shaw missed out on selection in 2001 before being called up as a replacement for Ireland's Malcolm O'Kelly in New Zealand four years later.
He won his first England cap in 1996 and picked up a World Cup winners medal in 2003 after replacing the injured Danny Grewcock.
One of the star performers in England's march to last year's World Cup Final, Shaw will be hoping for one last chance to make it a hat-trick of Lions tours next summer.
Simon Shaw's factfile
Date of birth: September 1 1973
Clubs: Bristol, London Wasps
International caps: England 48
Height: 6ft 9in (2.05m)
Weight: 19 stone 10lbs (124kg)
Shaw's Lions lowdown
Lions debut: Versus Eastern Province Invitation XV, May 24, 1997
Lions Tests: 0
Lions non-Test appearances: 12
Total Lions appearances: 12 (seven in 1997, five in 2005)
Lions points: 5 (one try)
Most recent Lions appearance: Versus Auckland, Auckland, July 5, 2005
Simon Shaw's most-recent Lions appearance came against Auckland in 2005
On why 1997 was so special
"I remember everything about 1997. It was such an amazing tour, not just the performances on the pitch but the whole experience, going out with the squad, trips that we went on while we were there, everything was just incredible.
"I'd just finished university and for me being relatively young and being with a lot of guys who I'd played junior levels with, it was just an incredible experience.
"It will go down in history as a bit of an iconic tour. It was the best of the old school tours combined with a real step up in performance levels. I think that's what shocked South Africa most, the level of performance we were able to put in Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, all through the tour. We only lost two games and our performances never really dipped throughout that tour."
On coping with South African physicality
"The South Africans undoubtedly had a plan and that was to soften us up for the Tests. But I think the class of player we had throughout the squad meant that whoever had the honour of representing the team on the Test matches was going to perform. Whether or not they managed to injure whoever it was at the time, there was always someone who would come in and do just as good a job."
On developing team spirit
"It's very, very hard to create camaraderie. On tours like that, especially with the duration that the 1997 tour was, the biggest problem is making sure that there's no poisonous elements within the squad that drag other members down. That can often start when players talk to their mates from whichever country they're from and start moaning or niggling about selection or anything else really. I think that's perhaps been the downfall of other tours."
Shaw goes on the charge against Manawatu on the last Lions tour
On 2009 head coach Ian McGeechan
"Ian had a massive impact on the 1997 tour. While the New Zealand tour in 2005 wasn't that successful in terms of the Test matches, the side that he looked after went unbeaten and that says a lot about him. That side probably enjoyed the tour more than the side that predominantly played on a Saturday. He was able to keep spirits high and to keep things positive. That's something he does very well."
On his chances of becoming a Lion in 2009
"I'm now setting far shorter targets but the Lions is one of the reasons I'm still sat here and still wanting to play. That is a focus. It would be incredible."
