Editing Shane Howarth (section)

== Grannygate scandal==
{{see also|Grannygate}}
During the [[2000 Six Nations Championship]], a number of British newspapers revealed that Howarth (along with fellow player [[Brett Sinkinson]]) was ineligible to represent Wales.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rees |first1=Paul |title=Henry the scapegoat for pushing an open door |url=https://www.theguardian.com/6nations/article/0,,184746,00.html |access-date=4 April 2023 |agency=The Guardian |date=20 March 2000}}</ref> Howarth had claimed Welsh eligibility through a Welsh-born grandfather. However, following the revelations in March 2000, Howarth was unable to provide the documents to prove his eligibility and was subsequently not considered for selection in that season's remaining matches.

Howarth continued to play rugby for [[Newport RFC]] and in 2001 announced he intended to qualify for Wales under residency laws (which would have made him eligible again on 14 May 2002). However, by this time the IRB had changed the rules so that players could only represent one country and Howarth was considered a New Zealand player only.<ref>{{cite news |title=Howarth sets his sights on Wales return |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/howarth-sets-sights-wales-return-1968627 |access-date=4 April 2023 |agency=Wales Online |date=21 December 2001}}</ref> During a 2022 interview with [[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport New Zealand]], Howarth reiterated his belief that he was Welsh qualified, noting that he chose to represent Wales over my lucrative offers: "I can tell you now if I went to England, financially I'd have been better off. I believed I was Welsh, I still believe I'm Welsh and I was proud to put the jersey on."<ref>{{cite web |author1=Sky Sports New Zealand |title=Jersey Tales Shane Howarth |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U19bhqd18lc&list=TLPQMDMwNDIwMjPYHcl3216MjQ&index=2 |website=Youtube |access-date=4 April 2023 |date=9 April 2022}}</ref>