Scotland lose Shingler bid

London - Scotland's attempt to snare Welsh-born flyhalf Steven Shingler ended in failure on Thursday after the International Rugby Board ruled he was already committed to Wales.

Scotland had selected the 20-year-old London Irish flyhalf to play in this year's Six Nations because of his Scottish mother but met with opposition from Welsh rugby chiefs.

Wales insisted Shingler had already committed to playing for the land of his birth after representing Wales Under-20s against France in 2011.

The IRB backed the Welsh arguments and issued a formal ruling on Thursday declaring that Shingler could only play for Wales.