Scotland, Wales and the entire rugby press seem focussed on the case of Steven Shingler. For those that have somehow missed it (were you in a cave, or just washing your hair?), Steven Shingler, the London Irish outside half, was selected in the Scottish 6 Nations squad only for Wales to complain he wasn’t eligible.
This was because he played in the Wales U20 game vs France U20. This matters because neither Wales or France run an ‘A’ team, and have designated their U20 team their next most senior side, which means anyone playing for them are tied to that nation permanently, the same as if they received an A cap for someone like the England Saxons. This only counts for matches where BOTH sides have the U20s as their next most senior side, so in the junior 6 Nations that means only Wales vs France counts.
Steven Shingler
Now I am not going to go into the ins and outs of the case. The reality is that this is less about Shingler, who is never likely to be up to international standard (though I have been proven wrong before), and more about precedent. Wales want to ensure that they are tying their players to them by playing them in these matches.
Why I Think the U20s Are Wrong
The question for me becomes, should the U20s really bind a player to a nation, stopping them choosing another they are eligible to play for – in Shingler’s case, Scotland.
I would argue, no, not at all.
(don’t forget you can talk about this case, and more, on our Welsh Rugby Forum)
The thing about the U20s is they are played by youngsters who are developing. This means a number of factors
1) Rugby Scouting. The odds are the only country that are going to be that aware of them are the country they are playing in. Even if Shingler considered himself Scottish growing up (guessing he didn’t), I should imagine that growing up and playing rugby in Wales means that the only scouts likely to be aware of him are those that are from that country.
Even if foreign scouts of a nationality that could pick him were available, they would likely stick with their home based players for any number of reasons, including.
2) Training. Players need to get to numerous training camps to help their development, and to have the coaches run the rule over the players. How easily do you think players can get from Wales to Scotland? These are youngsters that may not drive, that may not have the money to travel, that need time to work or go to school.
They would find it easier to play for the local age groups. Which leads us to…
3) Exposure. The fact is these kids are developing, and trying to make it in rugby. Few of those that try actually make it at the top, even those with talent. Because scouts of the local country have decided they are good enough for the age groups they would be daft to miss out on this chance for further development and, importantly, exposure to club scouts and the like.
If they want to make it they need to be seen, and to be seen they need to be playing at a high level. Youngsters are likely to always take the age group offer they are given, in order to get a shot at playing top level rugby.
But before you feel too sorry for Shingler, I personally think appearing in an advert with the likes of Cliff Morgan and Phil Bennett advertising Wales should tie you to Wales!
Talk about this, and others things Welsh Rugby on our Welsh Rugby Forum)
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