IRB Rule Shingler As Ineligible For Scotland

by Dugald Skene

The IRB Regulations Committee Panel concluded today that Steven Shingler is not eligible to play for Scotland.  Shingler, who plies his trade at London Irish, has competed for Wales at U20 level. 

As the Welsh do not have an equivalent to a Scotland A or England Saxons team, the U20 team is considered as the second senior national representative Welsh team, as it is in France, under IRB Regulation 8.  Because Shingler played for Wales U20's against the French U20's in a competitive match, the IRB have ruled that he is tied to Wales and therefore cannot compete for Scotland.

Steven Shingler has been ruled as ineligible to play for Scotland

The decision sees the IRB stick by their initial ruling where they favoured the Welsh but were forced to investigate the situation further after Scotland appealed.

In an IRB statement on the matter, they stated "The Panel noted that, in accordance with IRB Regulation 8, playing in a designated capturing match was the key determining factor with regard to the player's eligibility.

"In this respect the Panel accepted the evidence of the Welsh Rugby Union that although Shingler had not signed the Union eligibility confirmation form he had been fully advised by the WRU that playing in the France Under 20 v Wales Under 20 match during the 2011 Under 20 Six Nations would capture him for Wales."

In response to the findings, the SRU released the following statement:

"Scottish Rugby notes the decision of the IRB Regulations Committee hearing the Steven Shinger eligibility case.

"We remain fully supportive of Steven Shingler, a talented young rugby player, who has expressed his sincere and earnest wish to represent Scotland.

"We await the full written decision of the IRB Regulations Committee and may comment further on receipt."

It brings to an end the ongoing can he/can't he debate that has been circulating the game since Andy Robinson first selected Shingler in his initial Scottish 6 Nations squad back in January. Now that the matter is over, I hope Shingler can now get on with his career.

What are the chances he will score the winning points against Scotland one day? The way things are going, it would just be Scotland's luck.