Mulvihill lays down the challenge to Shingler
STEVE Shingler has been told it’s now or never for him at Cardiff Blues as the region’s third-choice stand-off prepares to take on Zebre in the PRO14 this afternoon.
The Cardiff Arms Park clash will see all the focus on legendary Blues, Wales and British & Irish Lions prop Gethin Jenkins who will play his final game for the region before retirement from the bench.
Blues head coach John Mulvihill is also without five key players who are on international duty with Wales. The absence of two of those – Gareth Anscombe and Jarrod Evans – leaves Shingler to step into the crucial playmaker position and Mulvihill has laid down the gauntlet to him.
“We had a pretty brutal discussion with Steve a few months ago about where he’s sitting in our pecking order behind Gareth and Jarrod,” said Mulvihill.
“He’s aware this is the time of year where he has to impress. He has to take his opportunity now every week he’s given a chance moving forward.
“We’ve developed a lot of squad depth in the first few months of me being here and those players are getting an opportunity now. Steve is one of those at No.10 and he’s stepping into the hot seat to run the team which is big for him. I think he’s doing well, but he has to keep going.”
The Blues are looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to South African side Cheetahs, a game which Shingler also started.
Much of the focus will be on Wales’ record cap holder and three-time Lion Jenkins, but Mulvihill knows that must not distract from a game his team simply must win.
Mulvihill has made five changes to his starting line-up with scrum-half Lloyd Williams remaining as captain. His younger brother Tom starts at fullback and Rey Lee-Lo also returns.
Nick Williams starts at No.8 with Shingler charged with guiding the ship.
“The result we had against the Cheetahs was disappointing, but there won’t be too much changing from our approach from that game to the one with Zebre,” Mulvihill said.
“We’re in a pretty good position to have three good fly-halves. Steve is in good form, he takes the ball right to the line, and what he’s got over Gareth and Jarrod is he has a much longer kick.
“That’s what we need. Sometime we need to kick a bit more and kicking to contest is an area where we can improve.
“Dan Fish is covering Steve at 10 and he’s played there a fair bit for our A team in the Celtic Cup which is a big boost. He’s in very good form too and it’s not like he doesn’t have any experience.”
Zebre, who have 10 players away with the Italian national side, will be captained by lock David Sisi for the first time and have new signing Jamie Elliott, from Bedford Blues, on the bench.