Time for Steven to prove he’s the family favourite

STEVEN Shingler grew up being bashed by older brother Aaron in the garden but aims to run rings around him when Cardiff Blues take on Scarlets next week.

The siblings come face to face on a rugby field for the first time since younger brother Steven quit Parc Y Scarlets for the Arms Park in the summer.

Since his move, October 26 has been ringed on the calendar at the home of their proud parents, who will now be caught between choosing which of their sons to support.

In the end, it is likely to come to colours for the fierce Scarlets fans.

“I’ve already had a chat with my parents about who’re they’re supporting and they’re with the Scarlets at the moment, so I’ll have to try and convince them that I’m the favourite son,” joked Steven, 25.

Apart from bashing lumps out of each other in the garden when growing up in Pontarddulais, near Llanelli, this is only the second time the brothers have gone head to head.

The first was a Wales Possibles v Probables trial match in 2014 when outside-half Steven admits he spent most of his time “chasing the ball and lining up for conversions” though both did enough to win a place on the summer tour to South Africa.

Steven, four years Aaron’s junior and giving away three inches in height and nearly three stones in weight on the blindside flanker, has been warned to expect a rough ride in next Friday’s derby.

“We’ve already had a bit of banter, hopefully we can cross horns and I can get one over him,” he added.

“He has already warned me to not even think about running in his direction but I’ve told him he’ll have to try and catch me first.”

Steven Shingler scored 760 points over two spells at Llanelli and Scarlets but insists the move to Cardiff Blues was the right one.

“It was a tough decision that I spent time thinking over but when I saw the ambition of the Blues and Danny Wilson, I wanted to be a part of it,” he said.

“I’m 25 and I want to be competing for silverware and Blues are on the up.”