The International Rugby Board are trying to negotiate a short-term fix in the row between Scotland and English clubs over player release. Scottish Rugby lodged an official complaint with the IRB their English-based players were blocked from attending yesterday's first training session of the new season at Murrayfield.
Premier Rugby, representing the English clubs, insist they were within their rights to impose the blanket ban as they are only obliged to release players five days before an agreed quota of Test matches.
Their stance has infuriated Scottish Rugby, who want access to their players two weeks before every Test.
They are desperate for a resolution before November's autumn internationals against New Zealand, South Africa and Canada, the results of which will determine their ranking for the 2011 World Cup draw.
The issue is complicated by the fact the IRB council are meeting that month in a bid to ratify new regulations governing all aspects of player release, a summit that will not take place until after Scotland's Tests.
The IRB are therefore attempting to thrash out a temporary agreement between Scottish Rugby and Premier Rugby over the issue.
An IRB spokesman explained: "Everyone is hoping that common sense prevails, that custom and practice prevails. But there is a differing attitude here towards what custom and practice is for squad sessions at the moment.
"PRL have got no problem releasing players five days before Test matches. It's slightly different now that Scotland want release for squad sessions. We're talking to all parties to see what the best solution is."
