No rumour, the new recruitment policy requires a sim check of all shortlist pilots. Also, AA is taken into account during interview stage, but I have been told that the Simcheck is a pass/fail item, with no discussion entered into.
No, I don't know which sim it is, just that the sim checkers are very senior (i.e. close to retirement) to minimise any potential "indue influence"
It may not be perfect, but at least they are trying to be fair.