Shaw called-up as Borthwick in hot water

SIMON SHAW has been handed a Six Nations call-up thanks to the apparent indiscipline of his England colleague Steve Borthwick.

Wasps lock Shaw will be on the replacements' bench when England launch their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign against Italy in Rome.

He was initially omitted from the England 22 behind Ben Kay, Danny Grewcock and second-row cover Borthwick for Sunday's Stadio Flaminio encounter, but the latter is now in hot water with Rugby Football Union disciplinary chiefs.

The Bath second-row forward has been cited by independent commissioner Peter Larter for alleged foul play understood to be use of the knee on Wasps and England captain Lawrence Dallaglio during a league match last Saturday.

Borthwick will face a hearing next Tuesday.