Tom Shanklin played his first senior rugby for London Welsh before joining Saracens in August 1999. His father, Jim, had previously played for the Exiles, from where he won four caps for Wales between 1970 and 1973. His birthplace in Harrow gives him dual qualification for England and Wales but he has emulated his father in the red jersey of his homeland. Tom’s first game for Wales A was against England at Wrexham in February 2001.

In the summer of 2001 Tom toured Japan with Wales and scored two tries on his international debut in the second test in Tokyo. In that game he played on the right wing having earlier partnered Jamie Robinson at centre in the midweek fixture against the Pacific Barbarians. His Six Nations’ baptism was against France in 2002, back again in the centre, and he toured South Africa and then Australia and New Zealand in the two summers since. His appearance against New Zealand in Hamilton was his 14th full cap. Tom was one of the first new signings for Cardiff Blues in the early summer of 2003.

In 2005 Tom won the Grand Slam with Wales and was selected for the British and Irish Lions for their tour of Argentina. Outstanding form for the Blues and Wales saw tom selected in the Wales squad for the 2007 RWC.