Lions players' rest wrangle

English rugby's governing body and Premiership clubs moved to a war footing yesterday as both sides called in their lawyers in a row over rest periods for players who took part in the Lions tour of New Zealand in June and July.

The Rugby Football Union has refused to pass on payments from the Lions to three Premiership clubs who defied the governing body this month by playing their English internationals in matches less than 11 weeks after the end of the tour.