Warren Gatland insists players based in the Gallagher Premiership could see their British and Irish Lions prospects harmed if its restrictions on player release are not relaxed.
Gatland has called for "common sense to prevail" when Lions chiefs meet Premiership Rugby (PRL) – the organisation representing the 12 top flight clubs in England plus Saracens – this week in the hope of thrashing out an agreement.
Even personnel not appearing in the Premiership final on June 26, which takes place on the same weekend as the Lions' warm-up Test against Japan at Murrayfield, are currently blocked from joining up with Gatland's squad.
A core of that group such as Saracens stars Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje are certain to tour despite underperforming, but others will miss out as a result.
"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," Gatland said.
"And that's whether it's winning in Europe, winning the Six Nations, performing well at World Cups or on previous Lions tours.
"But it's probably not like it was 12 months ago where some of them would have been the first names on the sheet. Now you're having a discussion about them and that's a good discussion to have."
Gatland hopes that all members of the Lions' party will be vaccinated, but is prepared for some players to opt out because of the complications of touring in the coronavirus pandemic.
Gregor Townsend, Steve Tandy, Robin McBryde and Neil Jenkins have been confirmed as Gatland's assistants in South Africa.
