British and Irish Lions reach agreement with Premiership over release of players

The Lions play a pre-tour Test against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26

Lions coach Warren Gatland will have access to players from the Premiership against Japan. Picture: David Davies

The British and Irish Lions have reached an agreement with the Gallagher Premiership over the release of players for the pre-tour Test against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26.

Warren Gatland had revealed that the prospect of stars from the English top flight being unavailable for the warm-up game might harm their chances of being selected for the tour to South Africa.