Lions could have to pay Premiership Rugby £1million to release England-based stars for Jersey training camp in June
WARREN GATLAND rapped greedy Premiership clubs for putting the dreams of English-based Lions stars at risk.
PRO14 players have already been given the green light to attend a two-week training camp in Jersey in June.
But Premiership clubs are demanding cash to release their men, which means those competing for Welsh, Scottish or Irish teams could get a selection advantage this summer.
Even those whose seasons are over, including Championship side Saracens, one of the 13 PRL stakeholders, are unable to take part in pre-tour camps.
That means the likes of England skipper Owen Farrell and the rest of Eddie Jones’ squad are in danger of being overlooked for the tour to South Africa.
So too are previous Lions such as Wales pair Dan Biggar and Toby Faletau, who play for Northampton and Bath respectively, as well as Scotland captain Stuart Hogg at Exeter.
Frustrated Lions boss Gatland said: “There could be 16 to 20 English-based players.
“There’s so much competition at the moment, so we’re trying to get a resolution on what PRL’s stance is on the release of players.
“There have been agreements in the past and the Lions have always compensated clubs – something they didn’t really have to do.
“What we are asking for is can they be released a little bit earlier, when they’ve finished their club campaign.
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“I’m hoping common-sense will prevail, so we don’t have to go through the squad and start looking at 50-50 calls on players and thinking; ‘Well, he’s based in England so he’s not going to be available’.
“We are looking at going to Jersey for a two-week camp so the last thing I would want is for players to miss out on the tour because of that.”
In 2009, Premiership Rugby squeezed an extra £500,000 out of the Lions for increased access to players. And it is believed they are after double that now.
If bumper crowds are allowed at Murrayfield for June’s match against Japan – where the Lions could trouser £5million – it would allow them some wiggle-room to offer £1m.
But with attendances likely to be hit by Covid, it is unreasonable to expect them to pay seven figures.
Gatland yesterday confirmed his coaching staff – including Scotland boss Gregor Townsend, Neil Jenkins, Robin McBryde and Steve Tandy.
And after snubbing England backroom staff, he admitted there will be some disappointed Red Rose stars when he names his squad on May 6.
The Kiwi boss said: “There’s no doubt that some of those players didn’t have the greatest Six Nations this year.
“But a lot of them have credit from past successes – whether it’s winning in Europe, winning the Six Nations, performing well at World Cups or on previous Lions tours as well.
“It’s probably not like it was 12 months ago where some of them would have been the first names on the sheet.”
Gatland will also spend the coming days writing to players to tell them they are in the selection spotlight.
And anyone who is not comfortable with strict bubble rules and possible ten-day quarantine on return, should let him know now.
After their first selection meeting produced 50 names that must fit into just 36, Gatland added: “We fully understand the challenges of being away from your family, being in a bubble and maybe having to quarantine.
“But we’re hoping to get the squad of players, coaches and staff vaccinated beforehand, that would be a real boost for us.
“I fully understand if players don’t put their hand up to tour. So we want to sound them out before we do finally select the squad.
“The last thing I want to do is pick a squad and then have half a dozen players pull out.
“I wouldn’t hold it against any player and I would understand their personal situation of being away from home, family and the challenges that’s going to bring.
“We’ve got to make sure the players’ welfare is paramount for us to get things right and hopefully have a successful tour.”