Shingler targeting fly-half jersey at Cardiff Blues

Shingler has joined the Blues after a three-year stint at Guinness PRO12 rivals Scarlets and is focused on cracking the starting line-up from day one.

The 25-year-old can also play at centre or full-back but is hoping to don the No.10 jersey, although with men such as Gareth Anscombe, Jarrod Evans and Matthew Morgan in the mix, he is well aware that competition will be fierce.

"There's real quality in that position, we will push each other for that starting position and the bench spot as well, which is becoming more and more important," Shingler told the Cardiff Blues official site.

"You only have to look to the Wales tour of New Zealand and the impact of Beauden Barrett to see how important the bench spot is in terms of changing games.

"I've come here as a fly-half but if the team need me elsewhere then that's what I will do."

After a slow start to last season, the Blues battled valiantly for a top-six spot in the Guinness PRO12 but ultimately came up just short as they finished the campaign in seventh.

Danny Wilson's troops did do the double over Shingler's former region the Scarlets however, impressing their new recruit in the process.

And he claims that returning to the top six - which brings with it a Champions Cup spot - will be the minimum aim for this term.

"It will be an exciting season, everyone watching the Blues last season could see that they were heading in the right direction and hopefully I can add to that," added Shingler.

"I was impressed with the way the Blues played when they came down to Parc y Scarlets and I think the Scarlets were surprised with the scoreboard as well.

"We haven't talked too much yet about our team goals but for me I like to take each game as it comes and to win each one, so I would be happy winning the European Cup and the league!

"But we also have to be realistic and that means improving from last year, which was seventh and getting back into the Champions Cup. If we find ourselves in a good position we can hopefully then push for the top four."

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