The RFU issued a letter to all EPS players stating they intend to only select those playing for domestic clubs following the 2011 World Cup.

Currently the likes of Wilkinson, Haskell and lock Tom Palmer are based in France with plenty more rumoured to be interested in a big-money move across the Channel but all would stand to miss the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.

But RFU chief executive John Steele maintains having players domestically based is crucial to their hopes of winning the 2015 World Cup on home soil.

“It is our view that we are best served by having our England Elite Player Squad and our England-Qualified Players all playing in England at English clubs,” read the statement.

“We feel that enables our whole elite department, including team management and coaches, as well as our technical, medical and sports science teams, to work more closely with EPS players to ensure they are supported in the right way.

“We believe this is easier to achieve working with the Premiership and Championship clubs with whom we have excellent relationships.

“It is our absolute intention we only selected from overseas clubs in exceptional circumstances.

“It is for you and your agent to decide if you are willing to take that risk.

“But I would like to confirm it is our strong intent, from the end of the World Cup 2011 through the RWC 2015 cycle, to select our Elite Player Squads at all levels entirely from players playing at English clubs where at all possible.”