Coach Clive Woodward is set to take a large squad

Next year's Premiership and Wildcard finals are set for 28 May, three days after the Lions are due to depart.

That may result in some players leaving after the main bulk of the party.

"We are working closely with the Lions but we are not prepared to harm English domestic rugby," said Premier Rugby chief executive Howard Thomas.

"The rump of the Lions squad will leave before the Grand Final," Thomas explained.

I'm sure that a compromise can be found Lions manager Bill Beaumont

"If we were to move a chunk of our season one week backwards to start a week earlier in late August it would eat into the players' summer rest period.

"Our job is not to help the Lions but to work in harmony with them. What we have agreed is that those English players not involved in the final stages of the season can join the Lions as soon as their domestic season finishes.

"International rugby depends on the vibrancy of the professional club game."

Lions tour schedule

The Lions committee are unlikely to want a split party however, so negotiations will continue with possible compensation payments to clubs over their players.

"We want to work together to find a solution to this and there is still a fair way to go in our talks," said Lions manager Bill Beaumont.

"I'm sure that a compromise can be found. I'm anxious that this doesn't become a stand-off between one guy in the red corner and the other in the blue corner."