Despite that edict which states from the 2012 RBS 6 Nations, players outside the English leagues would only be selected under ‘exceptional circumstances’, Wilkinson has committed to another two years in the south of France.

Wilkinson has been a huge success with Toulon, recently been voted the best overseas player in the Top 14 having helped lead his team to the top of their ‘group of death’ Heineken Cup pool.

But the RFU have made it crystal clear that they want Wilkinson along with the likes of Tom Palmer and James Haskell to return to England so their contracts fall in line with the EPS agreement with Aviva Premiership clubs.

It remains to be seen what impact his decision will have on his selection chances in the 2011 RBS 6 Nations and whether other players will follow his lead with the Top 14 clubs able to offer far bigger wage packets.

Wilkinson missed England’s autumn internationals through injury but had already fallen behind Leicester’s Toby Flood in the pecking order for the England No.10 jersey.

"I am happy where I am, it fits the bill for me," said Wilkinson last week. "I can understand where they are coming from and what they're saying.

"For me, in my situation at the moment, my main aim is to keep getting better and I made a move to Toulon a year-and-a-half ago to try to continue to do that.

"I want to carry on doing that now. I am enjoying the experience and I'm learning a hell of a lot. I owe a lot to these guys."