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Dragons declare interest in Shingler
ESPNscrum Staff
January 8, 2012
Scarlets fly-half Steven Shingler, London Irish v Scarlets, Anglo-Welsh Cup, Madejski Stadium, Reading, England, November 14, 2010
Steve Shingler back in his Scarlets days © Getty Images
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The Newport Gwent Dragons have admitted that they are keen on bringing Steve Shingler to Rodney Parade with the London Irish fly-half at the centre of an eligibility row.

The 20-year-old was named in Andy Robinson's 36-man squad for the 2012 northern hemisphere tournament last week, much to the derision of the Welsh Rugby Union. The WRU claim he is tied to them after he lined up for their U20 side during the 2011 U20 Six Nations, but the Scottish Rugby Union are adamant that he never agreed to commit to Wales on the national scene.

Regardless of which way the dispute is resolved - with the International Rugby Board due to adjudicate on the matter - the Dragons are keen on tying down the former Scarlets back's signature and bring him back to Wales.

Dragons boss Darren Edwards has admitted that he has long been a fan of Shingler. "I had my eyes on him to come back home. He was one of my recruitment targets," Edwards told Wales on Sunday. "He's one we should bring back to our country. We've got a small player pool and we need our players to be playing here."

And with Dragons and Wales lock Luke Charteris set to leave the club at the end of the season, Edwards is keen to emphasise the need for the four Welsh regions to keep the best young talent in the country as opposed to seeing them develop overseas.

"We want people to get up close to them, not only see them when they play for Wales at the Millennium Stadium," Edwards said. "We must work hard to keep these youngsters here for a number of years. I don't mind players leaving Wales near the end of their careers but , please, not the youngsters."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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