When is a Welshman not a Welshman?
Wednesday 15 February 2012
When he's a Scotsman.
It sounds like a strange Christmas cracker joke, yet this is the situation that has caused the Welsh and Scottish Unions to become embroiled in a power struggle over 20 year old Steven Shingler.
12 months ago Swansea born Shingler was relatively unheard of. Having progressed through the junior ranks with the Scarlets, Shingler impressed during his limited game time with the West Wales region's first XV. His form drew accolades within the rugby community. Mooted as a future Welsh international, Shingler went on to represent Wales u20s on 14 occasions. It seemed that Shingler was destined to join the illustrious list of players to have worn the number 10 jersey for Wales; this argument strengthened as he appeared in an advert for Welsh channel s4c as the future fly-half for Wales.
Shingler has since moved from the Scarlets to London Irish, the side against which he made his full Scarlets debut. He has undoubtedly benefitted from the move, coping with the physical nature of the premiership and the intensity of the Heineken Cup. The only blip in his season so far being his sending off, for a tip tackle, against Cardiff in Europe. It is because of this form that he was tipped as a potential contender for the Welsh 6 Nations squad; something that Shingler himself admitted he was targeting in an interview in November. It seems strange then that he has suddenly opted to represent that land of his mother rather than the land of his birth.
Less than two months after stating his ambitions to play for Wales, Shingler was announced in Scotland's Six Nations squad. Within hours, the WRU was in contact with the IRB questioning Shingler's eligibility to represent Scotland. Their argument centred around Shingler's appearances for the Welsh under 20's side. The IRB's eligibility criteria states that once a player has represented a nation's first, second or sevens side, they become ineligible to represent any other nation. As Wales no longer have an A side, they have nominated their under 20's side as their second side. This means that any player who plays for Wales under 20s are tied to Wales if they play against another nation who classes their under 20s as their second side.
It is complicated, but in short Shingler played for the Welsh second side (U20s) against the French second side (U20s), therefore becoming ineligible for any other nation. This argument was upheld by the IRB, who declared that Shingler may not represent Scotland. This has not stopped the youngster and the SRU challenging the decision. In the meantime Shingler is training with the Scottish set “up until a final decision is made.
The argument in Shingler's favour is that the IRB have previously allowed Matthew Jarvis and James Loxton, both of whom represented Wales under 20s, to become eligible to play for Ireland. In this case, the Welsh Rugby Union did not make it clear to Jarvis and Loxton that they would become tied to Wales. In the case of Shingler, the WRU made very player aware that they would be subsequently tied to Wales in the future. The sticking point is that Shingler refused to sign a documentation saying that he would subsequently only be eligible to represent Wales. However, by admitting he did not sign the document, Shingler is admitting that he was aware of the eligibility ruling.
As can be seen from my brief explanation, the situation is a complicated mess. So complicated in fact that the SRU have compiled an 80 page dossier that has been submitted to the IRB for their consideration. I cannot see the IRB reversing their decision, doing so would open a further can of worms. It could also see another set of brothers facing each other in international rugby; Steven's brother Aaron having been called into the Welsh training squad. It should see the IRB revisiting the eligibility criteria, which is quickly becoming a farce. With one simple rule change, making all under 20s players eligible for that nation, would prevent all future arguments.
.jpg "Henry Pollock, who was part of the England U20s set-up last term, scored two tries off the bench")