The Scarlets flanker has not played rugby since suffering a knee injury during the Pro14 final in May 2018. The dynamic back-rower feared he would never play another game after a series of setbacks. But he is now putting his best foot forward in a bid to book a spot on the plane to Japan after coming through the dark moments during his long road to recovery.
“For eight months, I was questioning whether the leg would be good enough,” he said. “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.”
Shingler is a member of the 42-man Wales training squad in the midst of a gruelling training camp in the Swiss alpine town of Fiesch. The players sleep at high altitude and descend the mountain to train as the preparations for the global showcase in Japan ramp up.
“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,” Shingler said.
”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.”
Shingler is one of seven back-rowers vying for a place in Warren Gatland’s 31-man squad. And he is determined to make the most of his opportunity after overcoming his injury nightmare.
“Unfortunately, it’s very fierce and I might only get one opportunity,” added Shingler. “In training, I have to impress every day, work hard every day and keep my fingers crossed that I get to go.”
