English rugby may have believed all its problems were over when a peace deal was negotiated between their clubs and the RFU, but as international pressure mounts on them, Scotland's national director of rugby Jim Telfer threw himself into the fray yesterday.

Although in his other role as Scotland coach, Telfer said he had to accept ''at face value'' that no pressure had been put on Scottish exiles by their clubs, he has clearly been enraged, going as far as to accuse club owners of attempting to ''squeeze the life out of international rugby.''

It was an outburst firmly backed up by views expressed from Scotland's manager, Arthur Hastie, and tour captain Rob Wainwright as the squad got together at Murrayfield to hone their preparations.

Indeed, Hastie set the scene for Telfer's comments by admitting to sympathy with Australian criticisms over the make-up of England's tour party, which included 17 uncapped players when it was named on Tuesday. That was despite the fact that only a fortnight earlier, he was fending off similar accusations from Down Under of allowing clubs to withdraw players.

''I see the Australians are kicking up about England and probably rightly so,'' he said. ''It's a view that I would probably take as well, but I wouldn't want to see that being the reason for cancelling a tour.''

Wainwright did indicate that players must take substantial responsibility for allowing the situation to develop. While complimenting those under his charge for their attitude, he made it clear that there are others who seem to have lost some of their appetite for representing Scotland.

''We've got a great bunch of boys in this squad,'' he said. ''The enthusiasm on the training pitch matches, if not exceeds, that in any squad I've played in with Scotland. On the thorny issue we're talking about, though, I think it's a sad state where people, not just Scottish players but English ones as well, prefer to play for their clubs rather than country.

''I may be a bit old-fashioned,'' Wainwright continued. ''But I come from the amateur era when the highlight of the year was playing for your country. I don't know if it's the finances of the situation talking, but it's sad that players are put in the position, or put themselves where they have to put clubs before country.''

That Wainwright would take such a risk of alienating himself from some colleagues illustrates the depth of feeling on the issue, and Telfer took the opportunity of that opening to take his swipe at what he perceives to be the self-interest of English club owners.

''It should be pointed out that in England, clubs actually are not squeezing out international rugby, but by God they're trying their best to,'' he growled. ''There are only eight weeks next year for a window (for international rugby) and I can tell you that it's difficult trying to get players to train. Owner clubs are trying to squeeze out international rugby as far as I can see and one thing they're definitely doing is giving us as little preparation as possible.

''They don't give any credit at all to international rugby, but they know that's where the money is as far as the TV is concerned. It's a sad thing when they are playing right up to May 23,'' he said.

That date referred specifically to the second leg of the Allied Dunbar Premiership play-off between London Scottish and Bristol, five days after Scotland depart for Australia, which had led to a misunderstanding between Telfer and exiles director of rugby John Steele over the availability of full-back Derrick Lee.

Telfer had indicated initially that the situation would be reviewed at the weekend, but yesterday claimed he was merely being diplomatic and Hastie yesterday stated categorically: ''We've made the decision that Derrick will fly out on Monday.''

In short, Scotland are ready to invoke the International Board regulation No.8 which states that international rugby takes precedence over the club game, if forced to do so by London Scottish. Clearly the SRU feel they have suffered enough in terms of having their squad weakened, Telfer admitting that he will be sitting on Sunday with his fingers crossed, hoping that Lee and for that matter, flanker Simon Holmes emerge unscathed from the London Scottish match.

Such is the situation that Scotland are almost cast into the role of underdogs for the Test match against a Fiji side against whom they have never lost, which opens their tour. The coach admits that he has had great difficulty in acquiring information about the likely strength of the South Sea islanders side.

Of greater significance, though, for all Telfer's protestations that there might have been changes to the squad after the performance in the Five Nations Championship, regardless of questions of availability, he has until that May 26 meeting with the Fijians to fashion a brand new side.

Clearly, a combination of the complaints from Australia and the problems Scotland are facing in getting access to their players, also raises genuine doubts over whether such tours will be viable in future.

On that point Hastie acknowledged that the success or failure of this trip could be crucial in terms of determining future plans.

''We have to assess this tour and the various repercussions attached to it,'' he observed.

''The timing of the tour may have to be looked at. If we'd gone perhaps three weeks later or had a shorter tour things might have been different.''

Missing Scots a sore point with Aussies

What the Australians feel they are missing:

The team Scotland are not taking to Australia on tour, which includes 10 men who have been on British Lions tours and a combined total of more caps than the entire 35 man squad who will tour.

Scott Hastings (not selected)

Kenny Logan (injured)

Ronnie Eriksson (injured, but fit to play for London Scottish next week)

Alan Tait (resting)

Tony Stanger (resting)

Craig Chalmers (injured)

Gary Armstrong (resting)

Andy Nicol (injured)

George Graham (resting)

Graham Ellis (not selected)

Paul Burnell (not selected)

Andy Reed (not selected)

Damian Cronin (not selected).

Peter Walton (resting)

Ian Smith (not selected)

Doddie Weir (not selected).

The Scottish tour party now includes only three men who have been on previous Lions tours and also 13 uncapped players.