Rugby: Shingler trains with Scotland despite continuing selection controversy

Scottish Rugby have confirmed that former Wales Under-20 cap Steve Shingler is in St Andrews with a squad training for the opening match of the RBS Six Nations Championship against England at Murrayfield on Saturday week.

The presence of London Irish utility back Shingler, whose mother hails from Dumfriesshire, is bound to raise eyebrows as international authorities earlier this month declared him committed to Wales.

However, that decision is subject to an appeal and it appears stakes have been raised by the fact Shingler travelled across to Fife from Murrayfield where he turned out for his club against Edinburgh on Sunday.

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An SRU spokesman said: “We have made no secret of the fact that Steven Shingler is part of our Six Nations squad and continues to be so.

“The IRB ruled he cannot play or tour for Scotland and we have appealed that decision but what we have done is invite him to our training camp and he has taken up that offer.

“Steven Shingler has been in St Andrews to meet the Scotland squad.

“As he played on Sunday afternoon he follows the protocol of all players who were in match action which meant he did not train.”

Meanwhile, injured Scotland back row Kelly Brown (shin) today tweeted: “Had a CT and MRI scan so just waiting for the results. Couldn’t have applied any more ice and hoping for good news.”