What a joke! Either the whole residency qualification rule needs to be disbanded or it needs re-written. So 'residency' is interpreted as 'having a mortgage'? Next, they will be saying you can only play for the country of your birth if it you were born in a private hospital and paid for the privilege! It's a sure-certain way to keep poor asylum seekers stateless forever.

This is the kind of thing that makes me swear and shout.

Absolute nonsense! The SRU need to get a grip.

Ridiculous attitude from the IRB. Scott has worked hard over the last few years & deserves his chance at representative honours-this is just bureaucracy run wild!!

Pretty stupid ruling with the IRB but the SRU should know the rules, especially when they had included Scott in one of their international squads.

It's not the first time that the SRU have made a balls up due to not following or knowing IRB rules but the IRB rule is a pretty silly one.

Sorry but the guy how has messed this up is Scott himself. Presumably he knew he was qualifying for Scotland via residency and should therefore have some idea what that means if he's serious about it. Silly move on his part to sell up without understanding the consequences and unfortunately he has to pay the price. Blaming the IRB (when anyone following this route can see and understand the rules) or the SRU for failing to stop him selling his house is just plain silly.

My sentiments exactly. However a shame it may be, the ultimate responsibility lies with Scott himself.

This doesn't make a whole lotta sense...it says he qualified under residency last August which seems logical, signed in August 04 therefore 3 years qualifying period takes you to August 07. So why does selling his house in May 08 make him ineligible? Is it even after the 3yr period you still need permanent residence when you play your first game?

yep. BTW, if he were to buy another house today, would he be eligable again, or would he need to wait another 3 years?

Yes, Scott only has himself to blame, but its still a ridiculous condition!

LET IT BE KNOWN THAT MANY OF THE SCOTTISH PLAYERS DO NOT OWN THERE OWN PROPERTY IN SCOTLAND - THEY EITHER CANNOT AFFORD OR DO NOT WISH TO OWN PROPERTY IN SCOTLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO WHY DOES THIS RULE ONLY APPLY TO SCOTT.

It doesn't, I think he would've been ok if he'd played his first game for Scotland THEN moved but as he had a flitting before, even this close before, his first test he lost his residency rights.

It sucks but those are the rules as they stand. Here's hoping he can find a way past this.

My wee boy was the mascot that ran out with Scott, at the Firhill Edinburgh match. We met up with him after the game and again at the Easter rugby camp at Cartha QP. Small consolation I know but just to say we were chuffed to hear 'Wheels' had the call up and like many we were looking forward to seeing him make an impact at the Churchill Cup. He is one of the good guys and I’d like to thank him for the encouragement and support he showed my son and his friends.

Interestingly enough I was involved in the research of my local club for their centenary in 2006. One of the past players had a call up for an international cap in the 1930’s, in the archives we found a letter from the SRU rejecting his 3rd class travel expenses to Edinburgh as he had claimed 2d for a newspaper – and that was against the rules! - 75 years on and nothing changes … as I think they say on the interweb ...WTF.

Good luck at Leeds Scott and all the best to you and yours. PS – could anyone let me know where that true blue Tongan/All Black/Englishman Lesley Vainikolo lives?

Vainikolo has lived in England for six years since he moved to Bradford Bulls. in his case moving from New Zealand to the UK it is clear. In football Scott wouldn't have had the chance to qualify for Svotland as within the four nations only birth and not residency is allowed.

Thanks Phall that makes it crystal clear… it's still rubbish that Scotty can get a run out with George Burley's squad.

I do feel sorry for the guy but...

Scott sold his flat 4 days prior to getting his call up to the A squad. Is he supposed to hold on to it or lease it indefinately on the off chance of getting a call up?

All I'm suggesting is that he should have been aware of the implications of attempting to qualify for Scotland via residency, if that's what he wanted to do. After that his choice of actions (keep the house/sell it) are up to him.
If it was only 4 days, why on earth not wait to see the squads then complete after the tour, especially as the buyer was a (team) mate. It was pretty obvious that anyone attached to the pro teams had a good chance of touring this summer

I know there's a lot of pressure in on Scott - his responsibility and all that, but don't you think there MUST be someone at the SRU who is charged with the task of ‘liaising ...managing ...helping out ...working with etc’ the players and employees of the National Squad?

I would have thought that a member of the English management board would making sure there was absolutely no comeback when RFU passed Vainikolo to play union. If, as suggested Scott had an offer and Bernie wanted to close before he went home to Argentina then it’s a no-brainer for Scotty looking after his family and choosing a closing date for the house.

Regardless it makes the SRU look pretty dam slack.