SCOTLAND coach Jim Telfer found himself in the unaccustomed role of mediator last night when a club versus country row threatened to break out, with Scotland finalising their preparations for their tour of Australia and London Scottish focusing on a play-off for one of the final places in next season's Allied Dunbar Premiership.
SRU spokesman Derek Douglas had stated that London Scottish full back Derrick Lee ''will be available for his club's first game against Bristol this weekend, but, in view of the fact that the Scotland party departs on Monday, he will not be able to participate in the second game on the following weekend.''
Yet that was contradicted by London Scottish director of rugby John Steele, who had been directly involved in negotiations with Telfer over the availability of players for the two-legged play-off with Bristol.
''That is not my understanding of the situation at all,'' he said. ''We've made it clear that Derrick will play in the first leg on Sunday. Only after that and depending on that result, will a decision be made on him. Obviously, if we are still in with a shout of promotion we would want him for the second leg.''
The SRU could force the issue under International Board law, but Telfer seems eager to avoid that, to the point of conceding that there might be circumstances under which they may be prepared to let Lee stay.
''The chances are that he will be on the flight with us on Monday,'' said the coach. ''I thought we had agreed on the situation although - and it was John Steele who first raised it with me so he is very aware of the International Board regulation - we don't need to. There is a possibility he could stay, but that is a decision that would be made at the weekend.''
There was, too, every sign of a deal having been struck in the decision that exiles flanker Simon Holmes, selected to tour despite playing little rugby since breaking a finger in March, will now effectively use the play-off matches as a fitness test before heading out on tour.
Yet more curious was the withdrawal from the party of Ronnie Eriksson, who needs an operation to repair ligament damage to his finger but will take part in the play-off games.
Once again, however, this is a case of Scotland suffering domesti-cally as a result of events south of the Border. Already officials have had to assure the Australian RFU, their hosts for most of this tour, that the withdrawal of Newcastle players, including British Lions Gary Armstrong, the national captain, Alan Tait, and Doddie Weir, was not caused by the English club's unwillingness to release them.
This time, the problem has been caused by last week's peace deal between English clubs and the RFU, which has resulted in these play-off matches being required to build next season's first division up to 14 clubs.
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