Shaw, who was called up to the England World Cup squad as a late replacement for the injured Danny Grewcock, is also the only member of Sir Clive Woodwards victorious party to be named.

The World Cup final heroes were not considered as their fellow professionals focused on the domestic season for the PRA awards.

The other four nominees were all born in New Zealand, although Henry Paul, Gloucesters former Rugby League star, has played for England and figured in the recent RBS 6 Nations.

The other three New Zealanders chosen are the Northampton Saints pair of winger or full-back Bruce Reihana and scrum-half Mark Robinson, and Shaws Wasps club mate and full-back or fly-half Mark van Gisbergen.

Three players who have forced their way into the England team since the World Cup are among the five nominees for the Young Player of the Year award.

They are Bath fly-half Olly Barkley and the Gloucester wing three-quarter James Simpson-Daniel and Sale Sharks flanker Chris Jones.

The other two are Gloucester full-back Jon Goodridge and Harlequins winger Ugo Monye.

The winners of both prizes will be awarded at the PRA/Computacenter awards dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Londons Park Lane on Wednesday, May 19.

Damian Hopley, chief executive of the PRA, said: All the nominees have made an outstanding contribution to the domestic season in what has been an outstanding year for rugby at every level.

To be voted players player by your peers is the ultimate accolade.

PRA Players Player of the Year: Simon Shaw (Wasps), Henry Paul (Gloucester). Bruce Reihana (Northampton), Mark Robinson (Northampton), Mark van Gisbergen (Wasps).
PRA Young Player of the Year: Olly Barkley (Bath), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Chris Jones (Sale), Jon Goodridge (Gloucester), Ugo Monye (Harlequins).