Healey backs Shingler to be a shining light
AUSTIN Healey has singled out a largely unheralded Wales back rower as the potential star of this year’s Six Nations.
Scarlets fans would testify that Aaron Shingler has been in outstanding form at regional level, playing a key role in their passage to the Champions Cup quarterfinals, with his display against Bath at The Rec, when he memorably swatted aside home scrum-half Chris Cook at one point, one of the highlights of the West Wales region’s European campaign so far.
The 6ft 6in, 16st 7lb blindside was also man of the match in last year’s PRO12 final.
But he had received little attention during the build-up to the start of Six Nations until Healey opted to lavish praise on him.
“The guy I really love for the Scarlets is flanker Aaron Shinger,” writes the former England international in his column in The Telegraph.
“He could just turn out to be the star of this year’s Six Nations.
“His work-rate is strong, he carries very well, he is physical in the contact, he gets over the ball, he clears out rucks.
“He looks big and hard and someone in the Six Nations being big, nasty and hard goes a long way – like it did for Sebastian Chabal a few years ago with France.”
Shingler will not get too carried away at being compared with the fearsome and formerly world-rated Chabal, because self-aggrandisement isn’t his style.
But where Healey hits the mark is in suggesting he has the all-court game to give Wales an extra dimension. When the big man carries the ball in full flight, there are few finer sights in rugby.
Shingler is one of 10 Scarlets in Warren Gatland’s line-up to face Scotland in Cardiff this weekend, a selection that Healey feels could – just could – lead to a spectacular game under the Principality Stadium roof.
“If I had one wish for this year’s Six Nations – other than an England Grand Slam – it would be for Warren Gatland to decide to let his Scarlets fliers loose against Scotland on Saturday,” he continues.
“If he does then I think we will be treated to one of the all-time great Six Nations matches at the Principality Stadium.
“I have never bought this Warrenball stuff, but it is true that Gatland does have a particular style that has served him well throughout his career.
“He is also the type of coach to keep a firm grip on the reins. Most do. They want to control as much as possible. Can Warren let go completely?
“This is the perfect opportunity for him to do so.”
Healey acknowledges that Wales don’t have to throw all caution to the wind to get the job done and says there is a middle ground where Gatland’s team can achieve scrum dominance while playing expansively.
But he is clearly excited about the side the New Zealander has chosen and is particularly looking forward to seeing new cap Josh Adams on the Test stage, suggesting the former Scarlets academy player will have no trouble adapting in a back line that contains six players from his old region.
“Worcester’s Josh Adams is the odd man out in the backline, but he fits right into that mould,” Healey adds.
“I am a huge fan. I wish he had qualified for England under residency so Eddie could steal him. That guy is absolute electric.”