At one time, touting Aaron Shingler as a potential star of the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations would have seemed far-fetched at best but, having broken firmly into the Wales fold, the Scarlets back-rower has been one to watch.
Last summer, the 30-year-old was left out of Warren Gatland’s squad for Wales’ summer clashes with Tonga and Samoa, meaning he hadn’t played for his country for three years, but the Scarlets man has roared back with a vengeance.
Click here for the complete 2018 NatWest 6 Nations fixtures and table
Having helped his club side win the PRO14 last season, former cricketer Shingler is currently bowling over the competition in Rugby’s Greatest Championship – starting the first three games against Scotland, England and Ireland.
He was named man of the match as Wales defeated Scotland 34-7 in round one and has proven influential in set-piece situations, winning 11 lineouts – only Ireland’s Devin Toner (12) has claimed more – while he is also jointly topping the list of steals with two.
Shingler has also made the fourth-highest amount of tackle with 47 and naturally, Wales’ comeback star has revelled in the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations.
“It is the first time I have had a proper run of games with Wales, particularly in the Six Nations,” he said.
“A little bit of luck and some good form has gone my way and it is up to me to make the most of it.
“I have been trying to keep focused on working hard. I have got a little bit older, maybe a little bit wiser and a bit stronger as well.”
Meanwhile, Shingler has garnered plenty of rave reviews and was even mentioned in the same breath as France legend Sebastien Chabal by none other than former British & Irish Lion Austin Healey.
Former scrum-half Healey, a two-time winner of Rugby’s Greatest Championship with England, said in his column for the Telegraph: “The guy I really love for the Scarlets is flanker Aaron Shinger. 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 fair way, like it did for Sebastian Chabal a few years ago with France.”
