Scotland appear to have fallen foul of the ongoing row between club and country after the Scottish Rugby Union claimed this afternoon that three of its players have been prevented from joining the Six Nations training squad.
The SRU says it has been denied the services of Jim Hamilton, Sean Lamont and Rory Lawson by English club rugby's representative Premier Rugby Limited.
Scotland head coach Frank Hadden, whose team are preparing for their next match against Italy at Murrayfield on February 24th, said today: "This is most unsatisfactory.
"This decision taken by PRL at the highest level is most unhelpful for Scotland during our preparations for a vitally important Six Nations Test match against Italy.
"It also places an unfair burden on our three exile players who become piggy in the middle," added Hadden.
The Scottish Rugby Union has been in touch with the Rugby Football Union today in the hope they can work together to find a solution to the club-versus-country wrangle.
Tensions between English Premierhsip clubs and international unions have risen since the Six Nations began, with the latter keen to keep their players fit for the annual northern hemisphere showpiece. Clubs, however, say they cannot afford to let their leading players sit-out games just so they remain injury free for internationals.
Yesterday Newcastle Falcons told their former director of rugby, Rob Andrew, that they could not accede to his request for them to rest Jonny Wilkinson, Toby Flood and Matthew Tait.
"We're 10th in the league and the best place for our players is out on the field, not sitting in the stand," said a club insider.
Lamont (Northampton), Hamilton (Leicester) and Lawson (Gloucester) all have matches this weekend and with the clubs under pressure to rest English players, they claim there is not enough strength in depth to compensate for their loss.
The RFU are concerned that over half the England squad could potentially be involved in Premiership rugby on Sunday, just six days before the clash with Ireland.
England coach Brian Ashton will today name his team to face Ireland in Croke Park on Saturday, February 24th, in a bid to pressure clubs into resting his players.
"Brian will be announcing the team to ensure the Premiership clubs know the players we would appreciate being rested or benched this weekend," said Andrew yesterday.
