'Grannygate' comes to a close

Brett Sinkinson must now qualify through residency

Rugby union's world governing body, the International Rugby Board, has drawn a line under the player eligibility controversy involving Scotland and Wales.

The IRB said it would not lodge an appeal against the decision, by an independent judicial committee, to severely reprimand the two countries after they fielded ineligible players.

The decision not to fine or impose a ban on either country was initially criticised as being too lenient.

But in a statement, the IRB said: "Any further action against the players and officials whose actions caused the breach is a matter for the two respective unions."

New Zealand-born Wales players Shane Howarth and Brett Sinkinson and English-born Scotland player David Hilton all appeared before a three-person IRB judicial panel headed by South African lawyer Jannie Lubbe.

They are now ineligible to play for their adopted countries and must wait to serve a residential qualification period before becoming available for selection.