Premier Rugby Draws Scotland's Ire By Blocking Release of Players

Scotland have reported Premier Rugby to the International Rugby Board for blocking the release of 10 England-based players, seven of whom are involved in league action on Friday night, for a training camp at Murrayfield yesterday.

Under IRB rules clubs are obliged to release players for international duty, be it a match or training, but the regulation is being revised at the urging of clubs in England and France. It was due to be redrafted last April, but a decision was put off until next month.

The 10 players told not to travel included four from Gloucester - Alasdair Strokosch, Alasdair Dickinson, Rory Lawson and Scott Lawson - and two from Sale, Jason White and Rory Lamont. The two sides meet at Edgeley Park on Friday, when Newcastle, whose fly-half Stephen Jones is one of the 10, face Bristol. The other three were Sean Lamont and Euan Murray of Northampton and Saracens' Gordon Ross.

"We are concerned that our tried and tested relationship with these English clubs has been upset by the sudden intervention of Premier Rugby and as a result of today's non-appearance of so many players, we have made formal representation to the IRB," said a Scottish Rugby spokesman. Scotland believe the issue is urgent, with the 2011 World Cup draw to be made based on world rankings on November 30. "It is imperative that this matter is clarified well before our final preparations begin for the critical autumn Test matches against New Zealand, South Africa and Canada," the spokesman said.

Premier Rugby earlier this year reached an agreement over the release of players with the Rugby Football Union in return for several million pounds, but it does not have a deal with any other governing body.

Wasps will know today whether their England No8 James Haskell and the lock Richard Birkett will be available in the coming weeks after a disciplinary panel convened to hear citing charges against them for a serious act of foul play against Worcester last week delayed judgment.