Nigel,
I was just thinking also, that if the clutch plate either gets
warped from heat or sticks to the flywheel or pressure plate that
this could cause your problem. If there is an oil leak getting on
the clutch, it could cause it to stick and if it is a stock rather
than racing clutch, it might like the heat and warp. Both of these
could cause difficulties in shifting. The test is the same however,
if you can shift into gear at a stop the clutch is doing it's job.
Don Stark