Shingler

Thought the IRB hearing was today. No announcement, have they taken avizandum?

No axe to grind on this one, just interested to see what the decision is and the reasons behind it. Should clarify what is currently a messy area.

Not heard anything but I don't see them changing their decision as that would open up a whole can of worms.

I think though they will immediately (in IRB terms) look to clarify this rule and I suspect they will go for the option of U20's commit you to a country.

After all I think the U20's is becoming a bit pointless in many ways when you see 20 and under guys like North, Hogg, Tuilagi etc playing for the senior teams and doing so with aplomb.

I suspect Mr Shingler may fancy throwing his hat back in the Welsh ring anyway after RP's performance against England...

http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2061322.html#panel+reserve+shingler+eligibility+judgement

I'd imagine we'll know in the next week. I personally don't mind too much if he's ineligible, Matt Scott is running hot right now and we have a couple more potentials in the form of Harry Leonard, and maybe Mark Bennett, although I believe Mark is an outside centre!

Feel bad for the lad, he made a daft decision and the SRU didn't do enough to look into it, lets hope his career isn't too badly scarred from this.

+1 not his fault whatever happens. Just unsatisfactory the rules on this are not clear. Also not a good move by the SRU.

Didn't they say that if the WRU consented to it then the cap could be scrapped??? That would also open a huge can of worms, and would place huge pressure on nations in the future to agree to scrap the add cap so a player can jump ship.