The Welsh Rugby Union, which yesterday banned two New Zealand-born players with 33 caps between them from appearing for Wales again until they prove they are properly qualified, faces further embarrassment today when it may be forced to withdraw a third, the uncapped full back Matt Cardey, from the team to face Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday.

Shane Howarth and Brett Sinkinson were yesterday told to provide irrefutable evidence that they are qualified to wear the red jersey. Howarth, named on Sunday as outhalf was withdrawn yesterday after the WRU demanded documentation showing that his grandfather, Thomas Williams, was born in Cardiff. Sinkinson has been told to refute claims that his grandfather, Sydney Sinkinson, far from being born in Carmarthen, hailed from Oldham.

Cardey was paraded yesterday clutching the death certificate of his grandmother, Evelyn Hattie Cardey. It said she was born in Nantyglo in 1917 and died in Wellington two years ago.

Although the WRU accepted the document as proof enough that Cardey, on the bench at Twickenham this month after two appearances for Wales A, was qualified to play for Wales, the International Rugby Board intervened last night. "I do not think a death certificate on its own is sufficient evidence," said Stephen Baines, the IRB secretary. "I will tell the WRU that it has to offer further proof before Matt Cardey is eligible."