Shingler is my player of the year, he’s nailed on at No.6

THERE are still some big games to come, but we’re nearing the end of the season and that means most clubs are holding their annual awards.

When I look back over this campaign, there’s one Welshman who has stood out for me, both in the Guinness PRO14 and at international level.

When you look at the PRO14, Dan Leavy, Tadhg Beirne and Stuart Hogg have all excelled, but I want to acknowledge the achievements of one Wales player – that man is Aaron Shingler, below.

Josh Navidi and Hadleigh Parkes have both had excellent years, but Shingler has really caught my eye as he can play both sides of the flank and has transferred his exceptional regional form to the international level. That is far from an easy thing to do.

I never got to play with Aaron and don’t know him very well, but he’s the sort of man I’d have loved to have turned out alongside.

He’s got raw power and the brute physicality you need to cross the gain line as a forward these days.

But at the same time, he’s got superb hands, athleticism and is a great link between the forwards and backs. Aaron has really stepped up this season and I think there’s only more to come from him.

For me he’s the man who owns the No.6 shirt going into the summer tour and while he will face competition from Sam Warburton and Ross Moriarty next season, Warren Gatland now knows what he’s capable of on the big stage.

All credit to him for taking his chance when it came and it’s exciting that there is probably more to come from him.