Today's Telegraph reports that problems with terms and conditions offered to players at Scotland's three professional teams - Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Borders - were yesterday highlighted as stumbling blocks by Jim Hay, chief executive of the Scottish Professional Rugby Players' Association, after he had met with senior figures from the equivalent organisations of England, Ireland and Wales in Edinburgh.
It is understood that a major difficulty has arisen over one clause in the new contracts that appears to give the Scottish Rugby Union the power to change any detail of the deal at will.
Hay is to seek urgent talks with Gordon McKie, the recently appointed SRU chief executive, who raised fears among players at the Borders last week when he refused to provide a guarantee that the governing body will continue to fund three professional sides while it battles to reduce an overdraft believed to be around £23 million.
Doubts have surrounded the future of the Borders side, who operate on a shoestring budget in comparison to Scotland's other professional sides, since they were brought back into existence three seasons ago.
While stressing the urgency of resolving the contract issue, Hay expressed confidence that a solution will be found now that McKie's appointment has brought an end to a long period of uncertainty within the Murrayfield administration.
Hay is seeking annual funding of around £50,000 from the SRU for his organisation, a step that would bring it into line with other players' associations.
He may have found it significant that the union yesterday confirmed a sponsorship deal with VisitScotland, the national tourist body, which is expected to net them around £100,000 over the next three years.