England second-row Shaw underwent a scan yesterday after sustaining what was thought to be a rib injury during last weekend's Premiership match against Leeds Tykes.

Shaw started the Headingley match on the bench but came on midway through the second half to help English champions Wasps to a hard-fought 11-7 victory.

However, Shaw (30) appeared to be the victim of a stamping incident although there was confusion as to whether he had suffered from foul play after a touch judge raised his flag only to change his mind.

Although it was first thought Shaw was suffering only from bruised ribs there were fears that the pain he suffered up until the final whistle was indicative of spleen damage.

But his scan erased those fears and Wasps coach Warren Gatland said having the 6ft 9ins Shaw in the pack would be a huge boost to his side as they chased their first European Cup title. "Losing Simon would have been a huge blow for us so we're delighted that he's been given the all-clear. He's a crucial part of the team," said Gatland.

Many thought Shaw was unlucky not be included in Clive Woodward's original World Cup squad although he did eventually make it to Australia as a replacement for injured lock Danny Grewcock.

Under tournament rules, the semi-finals are played at a 'neutral' venue in the country of one of the competing clubs. In practice this means Wasps will arrive at a packed Lansdowne Road with some 45,000 home fans roaring Munster on with only some, 2,500 supporters of the London club crossing the Irish Sea.

But London Wasps, led by England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, are well used to hostile environments - in their final Pool match they travelled to French club Perpignan in February and won 36-4.

"We were delighted when we beat Gloucester in the quarter-finals because playing at a packed Landsdowne Road where most of the fans will be supporting Munster is something we'll relish," said New Zealander Gatland.

"It was a daunting task going to Perpignan but we came through that well. There is no trepidation among the players over the task facing us on Sunday - it's a massive challenge and the team will respond to it.

"If we play to our potential then we can beat Munster and that's what we're setting out to do.

"They are the heart and soul of the Ireland side, so we're familiar with them. We know their strengths and weaknesses and will look to exploit them."

AFP - 2004.