The Scottish Rugby Union insist they have acted in "good faith" with the selection of Swansea-born Steven Shingler.
Welsh Rugby Union dispute player's decision to represent Scotland
The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) have defended the selection of Steven Shingler after their Welsh counterparts questioned his eligibility.
The Swansea-born 20-year-old was one of six uncapped players named by Scotland head coach Andy Robinson
in a 36-man squad for the upcoming RBS 6 Nations campaign.
However, the final say in whether Shingler will be permitted to play for Scotland is now set to come from the International Rugby Board.
Shingler played for Wales under-20s against France under-20s in the 2011 Six Nations, when both nations declared the age-group squads as their second XVs, effectively handcuffing the players involved to those countries.
The Welsh Rugby Union said in a statement: "Steve Shingler played for Wales U20s against France in 2011 before which he was specifically informed, as were his fellow squad members, that the match would confirm their sole qualification as potential Wales senior international candidates.
"Shingler was told by the U20 team management that if he played in the game he would become a Wales qualified player and therefore ineligible for
selection for any other nation.
"The regulations and guidelines relating to qualification compliance are set in accordance to IRB regulations and any questioning of these regulations should be directed to the IRB.
"We have made the IRB aware of this issue today and will be returning to it as a matter of urgency in the morning."
Assured
The SRU, however, were assured by Shingler - who qualifies as a result of his Dumfries-born mother - that he had kept his eligibility open by refusing to confirm his future would lie with Wales.
"Steven has confirmed to Scottish Rugby that he declined to sign a declaration from the WRU that he was committed solely to representing Wales at senior level," the statement read.
"Steven has informed us that he made it clear that he wished to leave open his international eligibility as he was also eligible to represent Scotland and England as well as Wales.
"Scottish Rugby believes we have acted in good faith in this matter and have also taken cognisance of an IRB ruling last year concerning two players who played for Wales under-20 against France under-20 in 2010 who now play for Connacht and are eligible for Ireland.
"We are liaising with the IRB on this matter."
The SRU were referring to a ruling relating to Matthew Jarvis and James Loxton in which a precedent may have been set.
Scotland attack coach Gregor Townsend contacted Shingler after the London Irish player had been monitored for a year, with talks gathering pace towards the end of 2011.
Should Shingler, whose brother, Aaron, has represented Wales at sevens and is therefore ineligible for Scotland, be denied a place in the squad, it appears Robinson will not be put off from his talent search.
"We're developing a scouting network and it's about tapping into the very best Scottish talent. We believe that's important for us moving forward," the former England coach said.
"There are a few players out there and there are a number of discussions that go on with those players."
