IRB decision ties Shingler to Wales

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has ruled that Steven Shingler is eligible to only play for Wales and cannot represent Scotland.

The London Irish fly-half was included earlier this year in Scotland's Six Nations squad but an IRB panel ruled he could only play for Wales as he had represented them at Under-20 level.
Shingler, who believed he qualified to play for Scotland due to his mother being born in Dumfries, appealed the decision along with the Scottish Rugby Union, but the latest verdict by the IRB's regulations committee ruled unanimously he is ineligible to represent Scotland.
A statement from the IRB read: "Under the regulations committee decision, Shingler was deemed to have been captured by Wales having represented the Wales Under-20s team against the France Under-20s team in a 2011 Six Nations fixture.
"Council, having considered all the facts and having heard submissions from the SRU and WRU legal representatives, dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the IRB regulations committee.
"The council therefore determined that Steven Shingler is tied to Wales in accordance with IRB Regulation 8 and therefore is ineligible to represent another Union."