Murray is one of only three Scotland players in the Lions squad

Northampton Saints have refused to let Scotland international prop Euan Murray join up with the British and Irish Lions at Pennyhill Park on Monday.

The Saints face Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup final on Friday.

BBC Radio Northampton understands that the Premiership club were never told that their player would be required.

But Lions chief executive John Feehan said: "We officially alerted them that we would require a couple of hours today back in September."

Lions tour manager Gerald Davies added: "We are very disappointed and the Lions are talking to the RFU on this matter.

"We informed each union back in the autumn what our plans were for this week.

"At that stage no-one responded to say they disagreed with it.

"We did say we would like all the players available for Monday.

"We emphasised there would be no training and by 6pm the players involved in those competitions would be released back to their clubs and regions."

Northampton's decision was based on a ruling from the Premier Rugby board to stick by the clause that dictates clubs are not obliged to release players outside of a Test week.

However, scrum-half Harry Ellis was made available by Leicester, who play in the Heineken Cup final against Leinster on Saturday.

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