Cardiff ace eyes Wales tour to cap his season
STEVEN Shingler wants to end his impressive first season with Cardiff Blues by earning a place on Wales’ two-Test tour to face Tonga and Samoa.
Shingler switched to the capital region from the Scarlets at the start of the current campaign in a deal which saw Rhys Patchell head the other way.
Under Danny Wilson Shingler has played a pivotal role with the Blues, often moving between flyhalf and centre all the while providing relentless accuracy from the tee. He hopes that form will be enough to see him earn his first senior Wales cap.
Shingler said: “It’s always a target to reach the international stage. I’m happy with my form, it’s going well. If the team needs me at 10 or 12 I’m happy.
“I don’t think many of the boys have contact with the Welsh management, I don’t anyway! But I’m really enjoying my rugby this season overall. Hopefully I can build on that in what’s left.”
With Wales set to lose most of their star names to British Lions duty, the games with Tonga and Samoa will provide interim head coach Robin McBrdye with a chance to look at some fresh faces.
Four years ago, when the Lions were in Australia, the then London Irish back Shingler toured Japan with Wales but failed to make an appearance. It could well be a different story this summer, with the 25-yearold able to play either as a pivot or as a second playmaker in midfield.
“Twelve is a lot more running, but I’ve got to get used to that,” Shingler said. “I’m enjoying the new role, I’ve played it quite a lot in my career, and I’m happy to play where the team needs me.
“That’s the way rugby is going – you’ve seen that with George Ford and Owen Farrell with England. We’re giving the game a bit more width with the Blues and I’m enjoying it.
“Our shape has been good and hopefully if the weather dries up we can get guys like Matthew Morgan and Alex Cuthbert on the ball. We’ve seen what they’re like in space.
“They’re very dangerous runners, and we’ve still got a lot to play for. Hopefully they can help us finish strongly.”