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Meet the back row gunning for World Cup selection despite not playing a match in 14 months

By Online Editors
One of seven back rows in the Wales training squad, Aaron Shingler is hoping to gain World Cup selection (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Aaron Shingler hasn’t played a rugby match in 14 months but he is in thick of things in the Swiss Alps trying to push himself into Wales’ World Cup selection reckoning. 

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It was the Guinness PRO14 final in May 2018 when the back row suffered the injury that has kept him off the pitch. However, he is now fighting fit and hoping some caps in Wales’ warm-up matches can prove decisive in getting him on the plane to Japan in September.

“For eight months, I was questioning whether the leg would be good enough,” he told the Welsh Rugby Union website. “Luckily enough it is, so I’m very happy to just be able to train. 

“A couple of more weeks training with Wales and I’ll hopefully get an opportunity. If that opportunity comes, then I feel like I’ll be ready. I want to play for Wales and the Scarlets, so I just keep pushing.

“It was massively difficult. Up until the eight-month mark, I was thinking that I wasn’t going to come back. I just couldn’t function daily. I’d have one good session and then the next day I wouldn’t be able to train.

“When I came into camp, I was a little bit concerned with how I was going to cope but I’m feeling really fit and strong at the moment.”

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Shingler is part of the 42-strong Wales squad currently training in the Swiss alpine town of Fiesch where the science is for players to sleep at high altitude and come down the mountain to train.  

“I remember the first night I was up there, trying to get to sleep, and my heart was beating a lot harder than normal, which is unusual,” continued Shingler.

“You get up for the toilet in the night, and you have to climb a little bit of stairs, and my heart is beating again. It feels like you’re working even when you’re sleeping. So that’s what it’s like up the top.”

One of seven back rowers in Warren Gatland’s squad, Shingler wants to make the most of any opportunity he gets. “Unfortunately, it [competition for places] is very fierce and I might only get one opportunity. In training, I have to impress every day, work hard every day and keep my fingers crossed that I get to go.”

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WATCH: The behind the scenes RugbyPass documentary on the 2018 Guinness PRO14 final between Leinster and Aaron Shingler’s Scarlets in Dublin 

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Trevor 51 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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