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Clive Griffiths and Alan Phillips
with BBC Wales Sport's Jeff Collins
 real 14k

Wednesday, 8 August, 2001, 16:26 GMT 17:26 UK
Cunningham gets Wales green light
Keiron Cunningham
Cunningham has signed a new deal with Saints
Exclusive by BBC Sport Online's Phil Gordos

Keiron Cunningham has been told he can continue playing rugby league for Wales after doubts arose about his eligibility.

The Wales Rugby Union claimed on Wednesday that the St Helens hooker had failed to provide proof he could play for the Principality during talks about a possible codes switch.

But the Rugby Football League have moved to diffuse a possible nationality row by declaring that Cunningham will not be the subject of an inquiry.


We are quite happy for him to play for Wales and there are no plans to investigate this matter further
RFL's John Huxley

"We are confident that Keiron has not breached our rules," said John Huxley, the RFL's media and public affairs executive.

"We are quite happy for him to play for Wales and there are no plans to investigate this matter further."

Even if it came to light that Cunningham's grandfather was not born in Swansea as the player claims, Huxley says it would make no difference to the RFL's stance.

"The fact that he has already played numerous times for Wales means he has qualified that way," said Huxley.

Rugby league was given a massive boost on Tuesday when Cunningham rejected a lucrative offer to switch codes.

But the reasons for his decision to stay in league came under scrutiny following revelations by Wales rugby union team manager Alan Phillips.

He claims Cunningham failed to provide the necessary proof of eligibility when he was in discussions about a switch to union.

"It's obviously disappointing because he's a quality player, but it's better to find out now because we were making a heavy investment in him," said Phillips.

See also:

06 Aug 01 |  Rugby League
Harris' switch to union 'imminent'
Links to more Wales stories are at the foot of the page.

 

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