Former Pocklington rugby union star Jon Stuart is at the centre of the controversy surrounding players' eligibility for their country.

It has emerged that the 24-year-old, who now plays for Glasgow Caledonians, does not qualify to represent Scotland.

Stuart, who had declared through a grandfather from Glasgow, recently discovered that the linkage was to a great- grandfather.

The news has come as a shock to Stuart who has declared his determination not to let the set-back end his Scotland career.

"This has been a terrible blow for me but it does not diminish my commitment," he said.

"I will continue to want to play for my country at international level despite this set-back.

"Now, I'll just have to do so through the residential qualification and it's my goal to do that in 2002."

The ex-Pocklington School pupil, who captained Yorkshire Colts and played for Harrogate, moved north last year after starring in Leicester Tigers' Allied Dunbar Premiership winning side.

He was hoping to further his claims for a place in the full Scotland team having come through the Scottish Exiles system and having played for the Under-21s and the 'A' team.

He even rejected approaches to play for England Students and England Under-21.

But it now appears he will have to put his Scotland plans on ice.

Scotland Rugby Union chief executive Bill Watson said: "Given that Jon Stuart's involvement has been wholly in the professional era, the SRU cannot continue to select him at this stage."

All players wishing to play for Scotland are now being subjected to the same rigorous checks the SRU has had in place for players moving to Scotland from overseas, or those who did not come through the Scottish Exiles system.

Scottish international David Hilton has also been told that he will not be allowed to play for Scotland again unless he becomes eligible under the three-year residency rule.

Hilton, capped 41 times by Scotland, is no longer eligible as his grandfather was found to have been born in Bristol rather than Edinburgh.

Andy Nicol, who has taken the Scotland captaincy, launched a withering attack on the critics of 'grannygate' prop Hilton.

The Glasgow Caledonians scrum-half has been a team-mate of Hilton's for both club and country for the past six years.

Nicol said: "The way David has been portrayed is nothing short of appalling. This was not a premeditated attempt by someone to manipulate the system. I hope what has happened will not drive him out of Scottish rugby because he is a huge asset."

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